A/N: I do not own The Big Bang Theory. This is a fan work not done for profit.
The small collection of tables and chairs around the ice cream stand were occupied by a school group composed of howling monkeys disguised as children, so Penny and Sheldon made their way to the ledge of the nearby reflecting pool.
Sheldon refused to sit, so they stood and silently consumed their ice cream.
With half of his cup still left, Sheldon stuck the spoon in the middle and turned to her.
"Penny, that ice cream stand advertises fraudulently. This is not the ice cream of the future. If anything it is the ice cream of the last decade."
"Why aren't you eating?"
"The roof of my mouth became too cold," he admitted.
"Well hurry up. You don't want to have to drink the rest."
He picked up the spoon again and poked at what was left in his bowl as she finished hers.
"Penny?"
"Yes, Sheldon?"
"What do you plan to do about, as you put it, the thing?"
"I really don't know, sweetie. I guess I have some time to think about it before I have to decide."
She stared out over the water as he attempted to eat more of the now mostly melted ice cream.
"Penny?"
"Yes, Sheldon."
She jumped a little when he began to give her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"There, there. It will be fine."
The tears broke free and Penny began to sob as Sheldon looked on helplessly, his hand still lingering on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she gasped between sobs, "I can't help it."
Penny dropped her purse and empty ice cream cup where she stood. She wrapped her arms around Sheldon and buried her face in his shirt. He was stiff in her embrace, but even through the haze of sadness she could tell he was trying to relax.
"There, there," he said, still patting her shoulder. "Everything will be fine."
