AN: This is an idea that just wont leave me alone, so I have to type it out! I haven't really thought beyond a few key points (aka the beginning and end), but that's never stopped me before! If you're new to my stories, welcome to the madness within, and if you're a loyal reader, welcome back old friend!

Fandom: The Big Bang Theory
Rating: M (for a reason)
Pairing: Shenny FTW
Genre: Romance
Summery: What if Sheldon and Penny met twice before she moved to Pasadena? What happens when Penny remembers these times, and Sheldon always had? Sheldon says there is no such thing as fate, Penny says he's a Whack-a-doodle.

It's funny how simple, every day things can trigger flashbacks. Some, we didn't even know we had. Little things like the smell of someone's soap, or the sound of a distinct bell. Or, in Penny's case, the taste of cheap gin. She didn't remember ever having the harsh liquid before, it was simply all that she could afford until her next Cheesecake Factory paycheck.

However, Penny had indeed tasted the dry, stinging drink before. It wasn't until that first gulp burned her throat that Penny remembered. Images flashed in front of her eyes, most she wished would have stayed hidden. The glass fell from her hand - crashing and spilling all over her carpet. Thank goodness she was too poor for anything but the cliché red SOLO cup.

She stood a moment, in the middle of her messy apartment. The images seemed like a bad dream - forgotten over time… but Penny knew the difference between a dream and a foggy alcoholic memory… Unfortunately. Fear and confusion gripped the blonde like a vice, so she did what she always did - turned it to anger.

A red haze filled her mind as she stormed across the hall - barefoot and clad in her favorite Hello Kitty pajamas. She didn't bother knocking - when did she ever? She knew the others would be out - living up Anything Can Happen Thursday, and like usual, Sheldon would be glued to his computer.

The lanky physicist looked up as the waitress barged in, her nostrils flaring. It seemed like a reflex for him to raise his arm and use it to shield his throat. Penny would have laughed - if the flashing images weren't still playing in her mind. How could she possibly forget?

"Why didn't you tell me that we slept together?" Penny hissed, her eyes narrowing.

"Penny, you're not making sense. Don't you think that if we had fallen asleep together, I would surly rem-"

"Why didn't you tell me we had sex!" She was sure the neighbors heard that one.

Sheldon froze, his eyes wide and his skin paler than usual. He had known! A part of Penny had hoped that he had forgotten that night like she did - even though it was practically impossible.

"Oh… that."

"Yes, that, Sheldon. Why didn't you tell me? You could have said something when I moved in five years ago!" Truth be told, she thought he looked familiar, but couldn't place his face… Now she knew why.

It was the night of her eighteenth birthday, and a few of her friends from her community college had decided to throw her a party. Because there was a nearby university, the male students were more than happy to open their dorms for the lovely ladies.

"Penny! I have been looking for you all night!" One of her friends, Jasmine, said as she threw an arm around Penny, nearly sending them both to the ground. The party had been going for a few hours, spanning over three dorms and hundreds of students. It was amazing security hadn't broken it up yet.

"I've been talkin' ta these guys!" Penny gestured wildly to the group of guys behind her. She had been drinking… a lot. The gin one of the guys had brought her was harsh, but it did the trick in getting her completely wasted. She had never tried gin before, but she was liking it.

"Get this, there's a teacher here!" Jasmine screamed in delight, her blue eyes sparkling. "He's one of those beautiful mind people! And get this, he's only like twenty-three!" As she spoke, she dragged Penny through the dancing students.

"No way! My party is officially the most kickassed party ever!" Penny screamed, earning a cheer from everyone in earshot.

"Yeah, and the guys that dragged him here say he's super virginal." Jasmine laughed into her cup, pausing to grasp Penny's forearm. "His name is Sam, or Steven or something… You totally have to deflower him!" Again, they snickered.

Jasmine pushed Penny through the rest of the crowed until a figure came into view. He was skinny, although he looked like a runner. He was dressed in a horribly mismatched outfit, but he had an innocent face. Shaggy brown hair hung in his deep blue eyes as he looked around nervously, moving away when people got too close. Even in her completely wasted state, Penny found it endearing.

"Hey! I'm Penny!" She gave him her warmest smile.

"Hello."

That's where her memory fails her again. She didn't remember him giving her his name, or how they got back to her friend's dorm room. She can only remember - in blurry flashes - shared kisses, sloppy and needy. She could remember the way his hands moved nervously, but softly over her skin. No man had ever been so gentle with her - not even now. The only clear memory was his blue eyes - darkened with lust as he thrust into her, those skillful hands boxing her in.

"I thought you remembered and chose not to mention it." His voice was small, afraid even. She noticed that he tried to avoid eye contact, but seemed to be having trouble with that.

"No, Sheldon. I didn't." She sighed and sat on the couch.

Sheldon and Penny sat there, neither wanting to break the awkward silence to ask the unspoken question: What now? One thing was for certain - things would never be the same.