Sheldon sat alone in his apartment, preparing for an evening of video games, snacks, and an early bedtime. He had the TV turned on, and was getting ready to fire up the gaming system when he heard voices coming up the stairs, yelling at one another. He waited, assuming they would pass and go up to the next floor, but the couple stopped outside Penny's apartment. They paused for a moment, presumably while Penny dug for her keys. While Sheldon couldn't make out individual words, the tone clearly indicated the evening was not going as planned. Her front door slammed shut and quiet again prevailed. Evidently, her date wasn't going well.

He sighed to himself. Penny was attractive, but her pleasing figure and lovely face only seemed to attract lunk-heads that didn't seem to care about anything other than coitus. In the past month alone, she'd brought three different men up to her apartment. He wasn't jealous over her spending time with these men, and he didn't judge her for it. No, the feeling Sheldon got when the topic came to mind was that of concern.

It was this feeling of concern that washed over Sheldon as he stared at the television, listening for any other indications of a fight. Ten minutes passed, and things remained quiet. Perhaps they had worked things out after all, he decided. Just as he began to relax, the silence was shattered by the sound of Penny's date shouting profanity-laden insults. Despite being across the hall with the door closed, Sheldon could now hear nearly everything being said. He cringed inwardly as Penny was called worthless, pathetic, and simple-minded, along with a string of swear words that would have made a sailor blush.

The two argued loudly for several minutes, making Sheldon fidget uncomfortably in his seat. A few moments of peace were followed by a loud crash, the sound of breaking glass, and worst of all, a whimper that had to have come from Penny. After a moment of profound silence, the door slammed shut and heavy footfalls traipsed down the steps.

He hesitated, unsure how to proceed. Calling the police seemed like a reasonable course of action, but perhaps she would be resentful if he did. Perhaps it would be best to assure himself that she was unharmed by going over.

He sighed a little, walked across the hall, and rapped on her door.

Knock, knock, knock

Penny?

Knock, knock, knock

Penny?

Knock, knock, knock

Penny?

He heard her come towards the door, but it didn't open.

"Sheldon?" she asked.

"Yes, it's me."

"Just go home, okay?"

"Penny?" he questioned. "Were you injured?"

"Sheldon, I don't feel like talking right now. Just go home, please."

"Penny, I heard you cry out in pain. I do not feel comfortable leaving you until I can establish that you have not been harmed and that the argument you were involved in has been resolved. Please allow me to enter the apartment to assess the situation."

The door opened a few inches. "You heard all of that?" she asked softly, through the crack in the door.

"I couldn't hear everything that was being said, but yes, I know you had an argument."

"Oh Sheldon, he was such a jerk."

"I could have guessed as much," he replied. "The names he called you were untrue and unfair. You deserve better than that."

She sniffled twice.

"Penelope, are you crying?"

She sobbed out a quiet little, "Yes."

He sighed deeply. "Please open the door so I am able to comfort you."

She opened the door and he walked in. Her apartment looked like it had been ransacked. Items were strewn about everywhere, and broken glass littered the kitchen floor.

"There, there," he began, patting her shoulder. "Sheldon is here." He stopped for a moment, taking in the damage to her belongings. "Penny what happened in here? Did he destroy your property? I can summon the police, if you wish."

She shook her head. "I don't want you to call the cops. I'll clean up the mess." She thought for a moment, sniffled then added, "You can go back home, sweetie. I don't want you to feel like you have to stay."

He wrinkled his brow. "Penny, I do have an aversion to expressing emotion, and dealing with the complexity of emotional situations. That is true. However, despite your constant mooching and inability to comprehend algorithms, I still find myself caring a great deal for you, and for your well-being. You are clearly distressed and I would like to assist you. Furthermore, I am positive I heard you cry out in pain and I have not reached any satisfactory conclusion as to why that might be. Please allow me to help you."

In reply to his profession of care, Penny put her arms around Sheldon and hugged him close.

He froze momentarily, then gently hugged her back. "Why don't you spend the night in my apartment?" he asked. "I can help you clean up this-" he gestured, sweeping an arm around the place, "in the morning." He pulled away and patted her shoulder again.

"You're inviting me over?" she asked cautiously.

"It seems only fitting, Penny. Your apartment's current state isn't well suited to offer you any type of comfort or solace. Staying in my apartment would afford you a greater measure of personal security and safety, alleviating some of the distress you are currently feeling." He paused. "That means yes."

"Thank you. I don't really feel like being alone."

He helped her gather a few belongings and after locking the door, they walked across to apartment 4-A.

Upon entering, Sheldon immediately filled the kettle with water and put it on the burner. Hot tea, he reasoned, was soothing as well as appropriate. He pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and chose chamomile tea, placing one bag in each cup.

Penny sat numbly on Sheldon's couch. Her hands were shaking and a few tears leaked down her cheek. She'd fought with boyfriends in the past, but she'd never had anyone break her personal belongings. She'd never had a man push her against a wall in anger, and laugh when she yelped in pain and fell to the floor. The entire experience left her feeling shaken, fragile, and uncertain.

Sheldon watched her carefully from his vantage point in the kitchen. She was curled into a ball and sat at the far end of the couch. While the kettle warmed on the stove, he pulled a blanket out of the closet and brought it over.

"Are you cold?" he asked softly.

She nodded, not speaking.

He unfolded the blanket and gently laid it over her. "There you are." He sat down beside her, pivoting slightly so they were facing one another. "Close your eyes, Penny."

"What?" she questioned.

He glanced down. "Your hands are trembling. I want to help you. Close your eyes, please."

"Sheldon?"

"It's merely a relaxation technique. Now, close your eyes." He walked her through a very basic visualization exercise.

"If you're feeling inundated by thoughts of negativity, you can simply envision a wall. It can be made of whatever material you wish- bricks, logs, glass, cement- it doesn't matter what its composed of, as long as this wall is strong and sturdy. When you begin to feel overwhelmed or unhappy, drop your wall. Once the wall has been placed, no negative, sad, or anxious thoughts can break through it. Those feelings are trapped on the other side where they are unable to affect you. You will be safe." He cleared his throat. "If you practice this, you will be able to control how your emotions affect you."

She opened her eyes. "Where did you learn that?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "A basic college psychology course. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that…it sorta works."

"Well of course it works. I wouldn't have taken the time to instruct you if the technique was bogus or unsubstantiated."

The kettle whistled on the stove and Sheldon stood up. He poured the boiling water into two mugs he had prepared and carried them back over to the couch.

"Will you tell me what happened?" he asked her plainly.

"There's not much to tell, Sheldon. He was drunk, he got grabby and I didn't like it. I told him to cut it out and he got nasty. He threw some of my stuff around, pushed me into a wall, laughed when I cried. Oh…and he broke a few glasses in the kitchen."

His eyebrows rose. "He pushed you? Were you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No. I mean, it hurt at the time, but I'm okay now, just upset and angry and…I don't know. Sad."

He nodded. "I'm very sorry that this happened to you. Truly, I am."

"Thanks, Sheldon," she said softly.

It was late and Penny was exhausted. They finished their tea and Penny went into the bathroom to change and brush her teeth. When she came back out, the couch had been made up into a bed, complete with pillows and several blankets.

"I will leave the light over the stove on to act as a nightlight. Ordinarily, I do not allow anyone to disturb my sleep, but if you need anything, you may knock and wake me. Do you require anything else before I retire?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Very well." He turned to head back to bed.

"Sheldon?" she asked.

"Yes Penny?"

She walked over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He turned to walk away. "In the future, if I do something nice for you, please refrain from smearing germs across my face with your lips."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Good night, Sheldon."

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read my little story. If you liked it and would like to see it continue, please do leave a comment to let me know. I am okay with it the way it is now, but I have enough material to turn it into a 4 or 5 chapter story, depending on what you guys tell me. Thanks very much for your comments, likes, favorites, and for taking the time to read. There are tons of wonderful stories out there and I'm so flattered that you're reading mine.