"Wha-Sheldon! It's just a chicken sweetie!"
A tone laced with incredulity and chagrin was difficult to mantain as the figure squeaked alarmed.
"Penny! That is not 'just' a chicken! That is Mephistopheles with feathers and a beak." came the hissed reply, as he attempted to scramble further into the branches.
She gave an exaggerated eye roll and her hands unconsciously went to her hips as she fought back a grin. For a man who prided himself in being one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, he still hadn't figured out that climbing a tree wasn't the way to escape being chased by demon chickens.
"Sheldon," she softened her voice to the one she used when beckoning the baby animals to her, "Honey...get down from the tree okay? I promise you that the mean chicken won't be able to hurt you."
The full grown man shot a mortified look at the woman gazing up at him with a certain expression that was uniquely Penny. Humour, pity and (dare he think it) love. Immediately something within him eased. Yes. Penny wouldn't break her promise would she?
Three minutes, seventeen seconds later his boots hit the dirt with a soft thud. The chicken nowhere in sight.
Sheldon gave a suitably abashed smile to the blonde woman. Slowly though the smile faded into one Penny was more used to seeing. Eyebrows furrowed, lips pulled into a thin line and the vein in his temple throbbing slightly as he once again subjected the scenario to severe overthinking.
"Is something wrong Sheldon?"
Peering down at his green lantern t-shirt, Sheldon inclined his head in the affirmative, "As an avid comic book reader I have concluded that perhaps I am not the most appropriate choice of mate for you Penny." though he spoke with the same, clinically detached tone, she could see the stricken look behind his eyes.
Frowning, Penny arched an eyebrow at the man she had chosen to bestow her affections upon and asked, "Why do you think that Sheldon?"
At once his expression grew sheepish, "You rescued me from the chicken. From my experience of reading comic books it is generally the hero who saves the damsel in distress. Not the other way around."
The seed of doubt that had sprouted within her heart dissipated as a relieved smile broke out over her features, "Oh Sheldon! Sweetie, no it's okay...sometimes it's the hero's turn to be saved." she stepped forward, her arms encircling his neck as she placed a quick peck on his lips, "Besides, you'll always be my hero. Chicken or no chicken."
With that said, she took his hand in hers and led him back inside the farmhouse. The two remained unaware of the couple standing beside the stable watching them closely.
Penny's mother rested her head on her husband's shoulder, "Y'know Wyatt, I think I'm starting to like that boy."
Wyatt heaved a sigh and turned his attention to his wife, "He's certainly not what I'd had picked out for my little Slugger, but I think he'll be good for her."