It's some big to do for the university and Penny has managed to get him into an honest-to-god tuxedo. Her dress-the ruffled collar, the floor length skirt, all in black, was a little too monochromatic for her-so, in a flurry of sewing, not ten minutes before they left, she attached the cuffs from one of her favorite shirts. Well, not her shirt, actually, but one that she has been the only one to wear in at least several months.
As they walk in, one of the labradoodles, as Sheldon STILL calls them is taking pictures, something for Gablehouser to show to those he wants to recruit, not to mention those in higher seats of power than him. Penny reaches around to grab the top hat he insisted on wearing and it's still in her hand and she's no where ready when the flash temporarily blinds her.
It's a few weeks later when the picture surfaces. Sheldon brings it home from work, and hands it to her as soon as he has dropped the keys in the bowl and planted a quick peck on her cheek. She looks and giggles, surprised at the irony she finds in the four by six in her hands. Sheldon's smiling-not his creepy clown smile, but a relaxed, confident smile that makes him look less the scientist and more the curious boy she knows. She looks serious, but she remembers that just a second after they were done, he grabbed the hat back and the two of them played keep away.
Searching the fridge, she finds a perfect spot for the snapshot of the two of them, and slides it behind a magnet. Penny smiles at the growing collection, then sighs, and turns to Sheldon.
"Did you have to wear the bow tie?" He grins, so similar to that night, and she knows what is getting ready to leave his mouth.
"I like bow ties. Bow ties are cool."