It is said that Jim Williams once made up a game, it`s whole premise set on the fact that mind control does work.

That you can control the outcome purely by concentration.

Focusing only on the numbers between one and six that you have picked as you throw your dice, leaving the ones with your selected numbers, if any happen to land that way, standing face up as you continue on in this fashion until all four of your numbers are laying on the table top.

The object, to get all your numbers in the fewest throws possible.

The way he figured, considering the number of sides on the dice and the chosen numbers, you have a one in six chance of getting what you're looking for.

The only help you receive in the game, the one life line….to will the dice to roll how you want.

To, in fact, control the actions of the dice with your mind.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Sheldon watched through narrowed eyes as his roommate handed Penny a small white container of food as he pulled it from the paper bag only to then drop it uselessly onto the coffee table that sat in the middle of the group of friends. Leonards dark eyes fixed only on Penny's long, golden hair as she reached out and took it, thanking him with a small, warm smile.

It bit annoyingly at his nerves the way Leonard always jumped at the chance to be the one to buy Penny`s dinner. Always swooping in and offering as soon as she strolled through their door in the evening, not giving anyone else a chance to offer.

Or even verbalize a simple 'Hello' before he was on her, gushing and fawning, pulling her off into a corner or the kitchen to have one of their whispered conversations.

He stabbed his chopsticks into his noodles with unneeded force, his eyes dropping, finding himself wondering if Leonard was, in fact, really that STUPID or just plain rude.

Penny and his relationship had ended months before and, in his mind, that should mean they remained a reasonable distance from each other at all times. No eye contact and having verbal interactions only when socially required.

But, no.

The one thing the Great Sheldon Cooper PHD, had been wrong on.

He found himself, staring on in crudely veiled disgust at the scene before him, watching in an awed, slightly angered state, as Penny`s lips wrapped around Leonard`s fingers, taking the offered chuck of food and licking her lips, stained pink with the strawberry chapstick she always used, a light chuckle escaping her as she caught the bit of broth that dribbled down her seemingly flawless chin.

Letting out a sigh of frustration he shot up out of his seat, standing in place for a moment, watching on before storming passed the couple and making his way to the kitchen, flinging open a nearby cabinet.

The next set of whispers and feminine giggles sent him off the deep end, his jaw setting with a tight snap.

The raw slap of his hands slamming down onto the shiny surface of the counter echoed through the small space of the kitchen as he poked his head into the next row of cabinets.

"While we`re on the subject of Leonard's annoying habits-" he suddenly snapped, only to be interrupted by his roommates calm, uninterested voice.

"I don't think any of us were talking about 'Leonard's annoying habits." Leonard stated, not seeming to miss a beat as he stared over through glazed eyes at the beautiful blonde beside him.

Sheldon felt his jaw clench further at his blasé tone.

'Why Leonard….you certainly are feeling froggy, aren`t you.'

Alright.

He could play that game too.

"Well I was." He replied. "And I out rank all of you." He waved a thin hand in his friends general direction before pulling out a small box of tea bags and gently closing the cabinet behind him. "Stop reorganizing the kitchen." He glanced over his shoulder to the man in the glasses. "It's a bother."

"You are the only one I think it bothers, Sheldon."

"Exactly."

A thick, awkward silence settled in the room as they continued eating, Sheldons eyes glancing up every now and then, landing on Penny, her deep green eyes staring down into her food, feeling his empty, uneasy stomach clench as her lips wrapped around her chopsticks, drawing them almost purposely deep into her mouth.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Raj lean into Howard, whispering quickly into his ear before pulling away.

"Raj wants to know why you seem so tense." Howard relayed, rolling his eyes, seeming all to done with his friends debilitating shyness.

"I am not tense." Sheldon answered quickly, his voice dulling, taking on it's normal, almost monotone, drawl. "I am simply irritated. I do not see why people always mistake my emotions."

He was met with four sets kf eyes staring over at him when he looked back up, feeling his eyebrows pull together in a curious way.

"Seriously." Leonard said, looking up at Sheldon with an mocking expression.

"What?"

"It's just...strange hearing that from you, Moonpie." Penny's voice said, her tone almost apologetic as he drew his eyes towards her. "That wasn't nice Leonard."

"I was just-"

"Pay no mind, Penny. I'm sure Leonard has a well thought out and feasible excuse." He found himself interrupting, setting the half filled teapot down without thought onto the counter and making his way into the short hall.

For the first time in years he was angry.

He was through with this dictatorship from Leonard when it came to Penny, always hovering around her like a hungry buzzard.

Tired of not even being an OPTION in Penny's opinion.

"If you'll excuse me," Sheldon said as he exited, making his way to his room. "But, I think I will be retiring for yhe night."

"You're not playing Halo with us?" Howard called after him.

"I guess he isn't has worried about his 'schedule' as he as he always lets on." He heard his roommate chuckle as he shut his door with a low click.

xxxxxxxxx

"Hello, Mother." Sheldon greeted as her screen blinked on.

"Hi, darling." Her familiar voice said as she straightened her robe, pulling it tight against her.

"Did I wake you?" He questioned, taking in all the obvious signs she was giving off that told him he had indeed.

"No...not exactly."

He felt his expression drop, his cheeks warming from the thought of having interrupted her during a most intimate time, blinking away the unwanted, unsettling images that flooded into his mind.

"I called this evening," he continued after a clearing of his throat. "To tell you that I will indeed be attending this year's Christmas celebrations."

"Why, that's wonderful, Shelly." His mother said, sitting back in her chair as if in disbelief. "The family will be pleased. It has been years...may I ask what changed your mind?"

"You may...but that doesn't mean I have to answer." He replied, watching his mother raise an eyebrow disapprovingly.

"Sheldon."

He sighed and dropped his head, suddenly feeling as if he were a baby again, waiting for college just to escape the ever lasting torture that is his family.

The longest twelve years of his life.

"I am attending this year so that you may meet my girlfriend."

"I have already met Amy, Sheldon." She said in reply.

"No, Amy and I are no longer together." He corrected, wondering if his mother could smell his bluff as she had always claimed she could. "I've met someone new."

"Oh..." she trailed off, measuring his expression for a moment before continuing. "...what's her name. It is a girl, right Shelly?"

"Mother."

"I was just checking, Sheldon." She quickly answered in her defense. "Mothers can never be too sure anymore."

He heard a long sigh escape from his lungs as he moved his eyes away from the screen, casting them heavenward before continuing.

"To answer your original question...her name is Penny."

xxxxxxxxx

'Maybe I haven't thought this through adequately...'

That thought hit him in the head like a ten ton boulder as he laid in bed that night, having just got over telling himself how ingenious and unfailing his plan surely was.

All he needed was to get Penny away from Leonard, all their friends and place her into a city where she knew absolutely nothing and no one.

Besides him of course.

That way, he could be the hero.

Her guide.

Her protector as they made their way through the long, scorching streets of Texas.

Basically, by being the only familiar figure around her, he came to the conclusion that he could invoke all the pleasant memories of Pasadena to come to mind whenever she saw him.

In turn, causing her feel that Sheldon was her home.

That he was her, for lack of better words, salvation.

All the math had made sense in his fury stricken brain, coming together like unseen pieces to a puzzle suddenly falling into place.

But now, laying in the quiet stillness of the night, it all seemed rather...ludicrous.

He shook his head, rolling his eyes over the popcorn ceiling above him.

It was too late to go back now. The wheels had already been set in motion full force, and now, all he had to do was make sure it was a smooth ride and hope that Penny didn't prove to be a bump in the road.

He felt the sudden sting if unexpected terror as he realized he had to get Penny to go along with him.

Which, involved another lie.

Feeling drained he turned onto his side and forced his eyes closed.

Whatever the consequences, he had to try.

He was done with playing second fiddle to a wash up like Leonard.

He WAS going to roll the dice in his favor, all he had to do...was concentrate.