Sheldon is infatuated with a woman he thinks he has never met. Penny is about to discover that one of her biggest fans is also her irritating, big brained neighbor.

She hadn't really expected the response she got. She knew her program had good numbers, which is why management let her dictate her programming. She got a fair amount of fan mail, but she was surprised at how quickly the phone lit up and how long it stayed that way. She had been taking requests for almost two hours now. It was astounding how many called just to say they loved her show. The requests she got were for songs she tended to play anyway. She was gratified and humbled by the listeners response.

She answered a line as Bernie set another bear claw and fresh coffee in front of her. "Hello, sugar. Thanks for calling the show. What's your name?"

"Dr. Sheldon Cooper."

Penny froze and almost hung up. Cautiously, she spoke. "What can I do for you, Dr. Sheldon Cooper?" Bernadette looked at her curiously.

"I enjoy your show very much. I have been listening to you for three years. Would you please play "Bop" by Dan Seals?"

Penny sat up a bit straighter. What was he up to? "That's a favorite of mine," she said softly.

"I know," he replied. "You said two years ago that it brought back memories of your grandmother. I thought it might cheer you up."

"You're requesting a song for me?" she murmured in surprise.

"Yes, please. I do not listen to any other programs. I don't care for you being sad. I would rather you be happy."

Penny was silent for a couple of seconds. "Thank you," she said gently. He hung up after a lightning quick goodbye. She programmed in the song and waited for the current one to end. She ignored Bernie's curious looks. She took a steadying breath and leaned in to the mic.

"This next one is special to me. I can remember my Granny dancing around the kitchen as she baked to this song. Every time I hear it, I can almost smell her banana bread. Tonight, though, it holds a new memory. The night a very sweet guy used it to make me smile. Thank you, Sheldon. I'll never forget your kindness. Here's "Bop" by Dan Seals."

Sheldon sat on his bed and smiled as a blush crept up his cheeks. He was very proud that he had made her happy. He hoped she meant it when she said she would never forget it.

Penny was just coming up the steps as Leonard, Sheldon and their two friends were coming down, late Sunday morning. She looked at Sheldon carefully and was relieved to see only boredom in his expression. He didn't appear to know who she really was, to her relief. Leonard, however, was looking at her with jealousy.

"Are you just getting home?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yep. Out with a friend."

"We're going to be late," Sheldon stage whispered to the Indian guy. What was his name again? she wondered.

She rolled her eyes and blew him a kiss on impulse. He jerked back against the wall as if she had tried to actually kiss him. Penny moved on up the stairs without another word. She turned the corner and heard Leonard hiss at Sheldon.

"If you keep that up, she'll never speak to me!"

Sheldon scowled at his laptop. He couldn't get his mind to focus for once. He was trying to type up his equations but his mind kept flashing to the past week. First there was the way Penny had stared at him with alarm, and then the innocuous kiss she blew him, filling the air with germs on Sunday. Not to mention the way her barely clad body brushed past his in the laundry room as she exited upon his entry on Monday. That woman was a complete enigma to him. Nothing she did made sense!

She had looked at him if she knew something he didn't. Sheldon snorted. As if anything she knew, and he didn't, was worthwhile. But the moment he had entered the laundry room to retrieve the detergent Leonard had forgotten, she had turned pale and scampered off like a frightened deer, almost as if she was intimidated by him. Which was just nonsense. She had nothing to fear from him, besides his scathing wit. He had never raised a hand to a woman and had no intention of doing so. He had to admit, she wasn't a bad neighbor. She kept to herself for the most part, despite Leonard's nearly constant invitations. She did not own maracas, or tap-shoes. Although she did own an inordinate amount of high heels and Uggs. She wasn't unpleasant to look at.

He sighed and looked toward his window. What on earth was wrong with him? He had only ever found one woman attractive, and he had never even seen her. Queen P's voice was often in his dreams. He knew her through her tone and music. He could pinpoint her moods based on those two things, something he had no ability to do with others. He cared about Queen P.

So why would he even glance in Penny's direction? His feelings for Queen P were real. She mattered to him. He had even adjusted his schedule for her. He had never done so for anyone else. But yet, Penny was beginning to play prominently in his dreams also.

The thought that he might not be a faithful man was abhorrent. He had spent his childhood watching his mother suffer through his father's infidelity. Was the physical attraction he felt for Penny due to his never having met Queen P in the flesh? Maybe what he thought he felt for Queen P was only the result of how mysterious she was. Her voice could sooth him, excite him, even arouse him. No other woman he had ever met, seen or heard had that effect on him. Until Penny.

With a sigh Sheldon shut off his laptop. It was almost time for lunch and his friends would be there soon.

Penny shifted her basket of laundry higher on her hip. She was frustrated and tired. A customer at the Cheesecake Factory had spilled his raspberry lemonade all over her. Then her creepy boss had decided to do inventory. It was practically impossible to avoid his groping hands in the small freezers. She wasn't really looking forward to her radio show tonight. She was too edgy. She turned the corner to the second floor and ran right into Sheldon. He bounced back into Leonard and she fell back on her butt. Her laundry went everywhere.

"Damn it!" she muttered as she rotated her sore wrist. She looked over at Sheldon who was picking up her clothes gingerly. "Are you okay, sugar? I'm really sorry."

Sheldon nodded as Leonard moved to check on Penny. "I am unharmed. Is your wrist damaged?"

She shrugged. "I hit it on the rail, but it's okay." Leonard took it in his hands and checked it over for a second before Penny gently pulled away from him.

Sheldon scooped up the laundry into her basket and held it out for her. She took it from him with a nod and soft thanks. "Sorry," she whispered before hurrying down the stairs. She reached the laundry room and leaned back against the door for a moment. How could she let one skinny neurotic genius discombobulate her so much? She had spent the last week thinking of little beyond his call. Why did he have to be so kind to her real self?

She set her basket down and threw her clothes in the wash. She added detergent and started the machine before hopping up to sit on it. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed heavily. Well, she had learned her lesson. Never again would she take calls.