Fan-written by SilverHawk92 Start date for the book: 07.21.13 at 9:15 PM Finish date for this chapter: 07.28.13 at 2:50 PM -
Leonard held open the apartment building's front door open for Penny. She walked in, smiling. "I had a really nice time," she said.
"Me too," Leonard answered, as he let the door shut. The pair began walking upstairs. "But I think the waiter was hitting on me."
"Oh, but don't you like a man of such class?" Penny teased. Leonard was silent as the pair rounded the corner and began to ascend the second stairwell. Finally Penny broke the silence that had befallen them. "On the other hand, even a straight woman wouldn't have worn those shoes..."
Leonard shook his head. "I couldn't see his shoes. I was too busy looking at the pink hairnet."
Penny's responsive laughter was cut short when the pair noticed a new sign on the wall. Below the caption reading 'Missing' there was a picture of a little dog.
Leonard leaned closer to the poster. "Uh-oh. Raj's number."
Penny smirked. "I bet he let Howard watch her again."
"You're awful," Leonard said, and then sobered. "We shouldn't laugh at his misfortune."
"No, no, you're right." Penny straightened her spine. "At least not once we see him."
They walked past the sign and continued up the final flight of stairs. "I m serious!" Leonard exclaimed, "How would you feel if...if I went missing?"
Penny shrugged and draped one arm around him. "You are kind of a small little thing, huh?"
"Well, people can go missing, and...Hey, what do you mean 'small, little thing'?"
Penny laughed as the pair finished climbing the steps. "Two for one! Now I'm laughing at your misfortune."
"No need to brag." He smiled good-naturedly and they kissed. "I'd better go help Raj look for Cinnamon, before he starts thinking I won't."
"Good luck," Penny replied, and the two parted ways. Leonard stuck his key into the door and entered the apartment he shared with Sheldon; sparing a brief glance at the Missing poster stuck to the wall next to their door. "Hey, Sheldon. Have you seen the posters?"
"Have I!" Sheldon exclaimed, looking at him from his special spot on the couch. "Somehow Koothrappali got into my office and left one on my desk!" He shot a brief look of annoyance to Raj, who stood helplessly in the kitchen, a sandwich in one hand.
"Hey, if you understood something as simple as a relationship, you'd be more concerned about my loss."
"Raj, that dog of yours was a constant problem to humanity, not to mention a disgrace to dogs. You haven't lost anything that can't be replaced with something superior." Sheldon turned his attention back to the television before him; ignoring Raj's look of disgust.
"Whatever, dude! Will you help me find him or not?"
Sheldon didn't even spare him a glance as he answered with, "I try to live my days without adding problems to humanity."
"Yeah..." Leonard headed for the kitchen. "That's what all aliens want."
"You'll help me, right Leonard?" Raj asked, as Leonard opened the fridge.
"Of course," Leonard answered, and smiled. "I'd love to help you give Sheldon a problem."
"You are both my problem." Sheldon turned off the TV and stood, walking toward the kitchen. "But, as it is the social protocol, I suppose I haven't much choice, and will be on the lookout for your precious poodle."
"Great," Raj answered, trying to smile. "I think we would cover more ground if we went in twos."
"That sounds fair," Sheldon agreed. "I call Amy."
Leonard and Raj exchanged a mildly amused look; however, before anything else could be said, Bernadette opened the door, simultaneously knocking. "Reinforcements are here." She walked in, and behind her was Amy, who shared a long look with Sheldon as she closed the door and sat beside him on the couch.
"Where's Howard?" Leonard asked.
"He'll be by later. His mother wanted her back shaven for her appointment."
Amy and Sheldon both made noises of disgust, and Leonard threw away his sandwich.
"I didn't want to stick around," Bernadette added needlessly, as she sat beside Amy.
"And no one blames you," Amy replied, causing the guys to shake their heads. Bernadette smiled; and then Sheldon got up and walked to the door, ignoring the weird looks he received. He pulled the door open to reveal Penny, standing there with her fist raised. She looked quizzically at him.
"I heard you coming," was all he said, and then stepped back to allow her inside.
She entered, the weird expression remaining put on her face. "Nope, still not used to you." She approached Raj and spoke directly to him. "Okay, so call me crazy, but I was in my apartment and I felt bad for being there when your dog is missing. Crazy, right? So I came here to help you look for Cinnamon."
"That's very kind of you," Raj said, clearly baffled. "Thanks."
The sound of Sheldon clearing his throat had everybody looking at him. "Yes, Sheldon?" Penny asked.
"I just wanted to point out that we are all wearing our shoes. May we get this over with?"