AN: Hope you enjoy this, please review! No flames please, I'm just getting started on the site! :)

I do not own The Big Bang Theory, if I did, Sheldon and Penny would have hooked up long ago! ;)

It all started when they left for the Arctic.

Penny had driven her boys to the airport on a Sunday afternoon, Sheldon complaining the whole way about the check engine light, which, after all this time, was still blinking. Upon arriving at the airport, Leonard was the first to give her an over-eager hug. Penny decided to humor him, reciprocating with false enthusiasm. Her hug from Howard had started innocent enough, but she slapped him away after she felt his hand slowly sliding towards her ass. Raj gave a surprised squeak when Penny hugged him, returning the hug and turning his pelvis to the side. And then came Sheldon, her whack-a-doodle. She half expected him to scold her about "invasion of personal space" when she threw her arms around him, but to her great surprise he tentatively wrapped his arms around her waist. She smiled and bid them farewell, wished them good luck, and headed back to her car.

Even though she would miss her boys, Penny was just the slightest bit happy... now she could sing as loud as she wanted without Sheldon's criticism, walk around in even the tiniest clothing without Howard's leering eyes all over her; she wouldn't have to deal with Leonard tripping over himself like an eager puppy around her, or Sheldon scolding her for missing HALO. At this final thought, her smile faltered a bit. Wait... am I actually sad about not having HALO night? Penny thought, but she quickly brushed the thought away as she pulled out her phone, deciding this would be the perfect night to catch up with her girlfriends. She'd been neglecting them recently, having spent so much time with the boys. A girl's night was much needed... no HALO or superheroes included! Penny thought, smiling.

She'd been happy to see her friends, and after watching a movie they had all sat in the living room, laughing and sipping wine.

That's when it started.

"So how are those crazies next door doing, Penny?" Becca had asked, smiling.

"Oh, they're fine, they're actually on an expedition in the Arctic right now." Penny had explained.

"That's so exciting!" Michelle exclaimed.

"Yeah..." Penny laughed suddenly. "Sheldon is probably already making them all wish they'd never gone... "Leonard, that igloo is not a perfect dome! Strike one!" " she imitated Sheldon, giggling. At this, Michelle and Becca shared knowing smirks.

"What?" Penny asked, confused.

"Oh, come on, sweetie, you know what... that tall doctor of yours." Michelle said slyly, winking at her.

"Wait, wait, of mine? Me? And Sheldon? Tall, skinny, whack-a-doodle Sheldon?" Penny said incredulously.

"You don't give him enough credit, he's pretty cute in a genius, geek-chic kind of way." Becca said.

"Yeah, Pen, intelligence is sexy." Michelle nodded in agreement.

Penny couldn't believe this. "You guys seriously think there's something between me and Sheldon?"

"Um, duh." Becca rolled her eyes.

'Pen. Seriously? You guys are always doing that whole flirty-bickering-teasing thing, and you never stop talking about the guy. Come on, girl." Michelle raised her eyebrows.

"Guys, no... Sheldon is just... a friend..." Penny stammered, mind reeling.

Becca and Michelle had laughed, obviously not believing her. "Whatever you say, hon. Whatever you say." Becca had said with a wink.

After the girls left, Penny sat in the middle of her couch, mouth open, trying to collect her thoughts.

Well, he's really not that bad... I mean, he has those gorgeous blue eyes, and.. whoa, whoa, WHOA. This was Sheldon she was thinking about here! Nerdy Sheldon! The Flash Sheldon! Tall, skinny, neurotic Sheldon! She shook her head, glancing in the direction of their apartment. Sighing, she got up, padding down the hallway into her bed, shutting the door behind her.