A/N Please suspend belief for the mis-matched timelines.

Spoilers for "Fright Night".

Peter Vincent was lying in his large bed, drowsy and content, with a brunette kissing along his chest, when his private line rang. He tried to ignore it, but it was quite insistent. Finally, in frustration he pushed the woman away and grabbed his phone. "What?" He demanded into the phone.

Whoever was on the other end hesitated then spoke, his voice arrogant. "This is Dr. Sheldon Cooper, I live in Pasadena and my neighbor is a vampire."

Peter blinked, "I'm sure you're mistaken."

"I'm quite certain that I am not." The voice was firm. "I am, in fact, sending you photos now. Once you have reviewed them, you will see that I am correct."

Peter hesitated. Last time he had dismissed someone, Charley had nearly lost Amy forever. "I'll look at what you've got. But, I'm making no promises."

"I understand. Good day, Mr. Vincent." And the strange man hung up.

After Sheldon hung up he sat on Penny's bed, staring at his phone for a few minutes. He had spent a restless night in Penny's bed. His over-active brain had turned over the knowledge that his best friend had betrayed him professionally. If he believed in God, which he did not, he'd be thanking said deity for Penny. Her distraction of the day before had been the only thing that kept him from emailing his supposed findings to all and sundry. That would have been one humiliation too many.

He was still at a loss as to why his friends and treasured acquaintance would do such a thing to him. He knew that he did not comprehend social constructs the way that Penny did, but he felt certain that friends just did not do such a thing to one another. Penny's reaction the night before to their confession had seemed to confirm Sheldon's assumptions.

If the only person he could trust was Penny, where did that leave him? He valued his routines, but was uncertain if he could stand to continue with the others in his life after their betrayal. He had managed without them before he'd met Leonard, who'd brought the others, and was certain that he could do so again. Penny might be willing to drive him around in lieu of Leonard; especially after a successful result with the vampire. He had never considered trying to appear well in someone else's eyes. But, circumstances seemed to conspire so that he had to stay in her good graces. Perhaps he could find other ways to be integral to her daily life.

Penny was a kind-hearted person, and unless he angered her beyond redemption, he should be able to maintain her friendship. He might have to listen to her talk about shoes, but it was a sacrifice that he was prepared to make. He sighed.

Penny lay curled up on her sofa. She'd heard Sheldon get up, and make the phone call. Truthfully, she was a little worried about him. She didn't really understand what the guys had done to him, but she got that it was huge; that they had somehow sabotaged him on his drive to win his Nobel Prize. She felt really bad for him and worried about what he might do. As long as there was something going on that could distract him, keep him engaged, she thought that he'd be better off, and not dwell on what the guys had done.

And they didn't even seem to get that they'd done something really bad. Even she got that and she wasn't even a freakin' genius! What the hell did they teach these guys in graduate school? Screw your friends over when they're vulnerable? And to make it worse, they were acting like it was Sheldon's fault, somehow. Like they didn't know what he was like before they left. What the hell was that?

Sheldon had jumped right in to help her when she had come to him with her problem, even before finding out what the guys had done. While she didn't think she could help him, she sure as hell could offer him sanctuary at her place. And maybe find things to keep him distracted.

That decided she got up to face the day. "Hey, Sheldon, I need to get in there, okay?"

"Of course, Penny." He looked at her for a minute. "Thank you for letting me stay here last night."

"Aw, Sweetie, you're welcome anytime. As long as you're not rude to me, anyway."

He gave her a sweet smile. "Agreed, and thank you."

"That's what friends are for. Real friends, anyway," she muttered the last under her breath. But he had no trouble hearing it.

He found her anger on his behalf rather endearing. "I did speak to Peter Vincent," he said at last.

"The Peter Vincent?" At Sheldon's nod, "wow, that's amazing. Is he coming down?"

"He is reviewing the photographic evidence now. I am confident that he will be here shortly thereafter." He paused. "I'm going to complete my ablutions, and then I need to go to work."

She hesitated. "Do you want me to drive you, Honey?"

Blue eyes blinked at her gratefully. "Yes, please. I am hesitant to ride with Leonard, currently."

"I can understand that. I'll be ready in a few."

"Thank you, again, Penny."

"You're welcome, Sheldon."

Sheldon took his shower and was about to shave, when he remembered Penny's comment from the day before. "Nice beard. You look good with it." And she had said that it was "Spock-like." After a brief hesitation, he decided to keep the beard. He supposed that the rugged look was more fitting for a vampire hunter. And if a tiny little part of his brain was pleased that Penny liked it, well that was a secret he would take to the grave, tics or no tics.

In the car Penny offered to pick him up, to give him more of a buffer from Leonard. He happily accepted, aware that her own work schedule would not always allow her to do so.

During the day, the others made no attempt to see him, for which he was grateful. He had no desire to see any of them.

Leonard, Howard and Raj had agreed to give Sheldon a little space to get over the incident at the Arctic. It was no hardship for Howard, as he didn't really like Sheldon most of the time, anyway. He still couldn't believe that he'd allowed Leonard to talk him into schlepping all the way up there, in the first place.

Leonard figured that eventually Sheldon would need something, a ride or something, and come crawling back. He was a little surprised at Penny for taking Sheldon's side. He knew that Sheldon had annoyed *her* often enough. For just a second he considered the possibility that Penny liked Sheldon, as more than friends. But, he dismissed it immediately. He wasn't even sure that Penny liked Sheldon *as* a friend.

Then he had a thought that perked him up. Maybe she was trying to make him jealous, or, and here he grinned. She was jealous that he'd greeted Vivienne before coming upstairs. Yes, he was sure that was it. Penny was punishing him, because she was jealous. He well remembered her behavior when Alicia moved into the building. Well, he would just have to feed that fire.

Sheldon heard from Peter Vincent after his solo lunch. "Don't do anything, my team and I will be there Friday."

"Friday," Sheldon echoed. "But that's 4 days from now."

"I know, but it's the best we can do."

"Very well, Mr. Vincent, I shall see you on Friday."

"Right, then. Bye."

Sheldon stared at his phone in consternation, and then called Penny. "Hello, Penny, Sheldon Cooper here."

A bemused Penny answered. "Hi Sheldon."

"I have just heard from Peter Vincent. His team will be here Friday."

"Friday?"

"I know, but it's the quote best they can do end quote."

"Did you do the air quotes, Sweetie?" She asked with fond amusement in her voice.

"Of course," he answered, puzzled.

"Of course," she repeated. "Well, I guess we'll talk more tonight, when I pick you up."

"That would be acceptable." He paused. "Good day, Penny."

"Goody day, Sheldon," she echoed solemnly.

Penny tidied her apartment, figuring that if Sheldon was going to feel comfortable there, it would need to be a lot cleaner than she usually kept it. She wasn't a slob per se, she just preferred to let things accumulate and deal with it all at once. Sheldon seemed to prefer to deal with things as they came. She wasn't sure there wasn't some kind of a life lesson in there.

As she was changing the sheets, she wondered if he would sleep there again. If Peter Vincent (OhMyGod, The Peter Vincent was coming to her apartment! What a hottie!) wasn't due until Friday, that was 4 days and nights of a vampire running free in the building. Although, Vivienne had been there for most of the summer and hadn't done more than creep her out, so she wasn't sure that she was in immediate danger. Still, she'd kind of convinced herself that she was crazy to think vampire, and was able to sleep. But now she knew it was true. She shivered.

And what about poor Sheldon? He'd probably feel better at his own place. Maybe he'd let her sleep on his couch? It was bigger than hers. Of course, that meant they'd both have to deal with Leonard, and she was still pretty disappointed in him. First, after sniffing around her for months, the first thing he does after a three month absence is "meet" the new neighbor. That was so typically Leonard, cats in boxes and whatever, but, any cute girl and his attention wandered. And secondly, and really most importantly, she was super disappointed in what he'd done to Sheldon. Just, no. Never going to understand that.

She liked Leonard, he was nice and sweet. Well, she'd thought he was, anyway. She was definitely going to have to really rethink that when this was all settled. Sheldon treated her better and he didn't even like her like *that*. Hell, sometimes she wasn't sure he liked her at all. But he was pretty consistent in how he was with her. There was something to be said….What are you thinking? She asked herself. Sheldon didn't have sexual inclinations. Even thinking of him in those terms is a waste of time. Focus. Help Sheldon, who is your friend and deal with the vampire.

That became her mantra over the next few days as they awaited the arrival of Peter Vincent. She picked him up from work, and he immediately fetched his laptop, a few comic books and DVD's and settled himself on her sofa. Sheldon, it appeared, preferred to stay at her place. They watched the "Superman" movies, and he explained the differences to her. She'd honestly had no idea that there was more than one, but Sheldon was surprisingly patient in his explanations.

At some point during the movies, she dozed off, and awoke to a wide-eyed Sheldon staring at her head on his shoulder. "Sorry, Sheldon," she apologized, sitting up straight in embarassement.

For his part, Sheldon was aware that Penny was tactile. He had not realized that this need was subconscious, instinctive. He added it to the list of things he would have to tolerate to keep her friendship. Since she had not mentioned shoes once, he felt that he was still ahead of the game "It is…acceptable." He finally said, confusing her even further.

"It-it is?"

"Of course it is. Offering comfort to one's friends, whether figuratively or literally, is a non optional social convention."

She blinked at him, and her green eyes warmed. "Right as usual, Dr. Cooper."

He smiled, pleased.

After a brief hesitation, Penny returned her head to his shoulder. Sheldon found the warm weight not nearly as discomforting as he expected. His eyes grew heavier and heavier, and his head came to rest atop hers.

Neither mentioned it the next morning, not wanting to upset the fragile balance they were maintaining. On Tuesday, Penny was able to drive Sheldon to work, but not to pick him up as she worked. Leonard, who had mired himself in the delusion that Penny's distance stemmed only from jealousy, approached Sheldon at work.

"Hey, buddy. Need a ride home?" He asked casually, and as if nothing had occurred.

It was on the tip of Sheldon's tongue, metaphorically, of course, to accept, as he did need a ride, but decided that he would rather walk, than let Leonard believe that all was forgiven. "No thank you."

Leonard was surprised. He knew Penny had to work. "Okay, well, see you later then."

"Good day."

Leonard left, wondering which non-Sheldon-approved restaurant they would eat at tonight. He stopped short. Tuesday was Cheesecake Factory. Maybe he should go, anyway. He was certain that Sheldon would cave rather than have his routine upset.

After work, Sheldon walked to the Cheesecake Factory. Someone was at his usual table, but he was early. And, it suddenly occurred to him, he would not be needing a table for four. He looked around at the other tables, and tried to select another that would meet his criteria.

Penny studied him silently as he stood in the entrance and did some kind of formulas in his head. She was a little surprised that he had kept the beard, but had to admit that she liked it. Finally, his head lifted and his eyes sought her out. He found her watching him, a fond smile on her face. He unaccountably blushed. She walked over to him. "Pick one, Sweetie?"

He nodded, "yes, I would like to sit at that one." He pointed to a two person table near his usual one.

"Okay, Sheldon, this way, please." She led him over to the table he had selected. "Your usual drink?" She asked once he was seated.

"Yes, please."

While Penny went to get Sheldon's drink and meal, Leonard came in, looked around in surprise that Sheldon was at a different table, and came over. "Hey, buddy. You weren't going to start without me, were you?" He said boldly.

Sheldon looked at him in shock, unable to formulate a response. Fortunately, he didn't have to. Penny had seen Leonard come in, and seeing Sheldon's distraught expression, prepared a counter-strike. She walked back to Sheldon's new table with a tray. She put Sheldon's food in front of him, and a second meal at the other seat. "Hi, Leonard," she said calmly. "There's not really room for you." Her tone was pleasant.

"What do you mean?" Leonard asked querulously. "What's going on?"

"I'm taking my break, and eating with my friend," Penny replied calmly.

Sheldon looked at Penny in pleased surprise. She had never done this before, but he would much rather eat with her than Leonard. She threw a glance at Sheldon, before returning her attention to Leonard. "Sorry, Leonard, maybe the hostess can find you another table."

Leonard was stunned by the rebuff, before collecting himself. "Well, maybe I'll just go see if Vivienne would like to grab a bite."

Penny froze and exchanged a look with Sheldon. "You don't really know her, Leonard, are you sure that's a good idea?" She finally asked as she sat down across from Sheldon.

"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine," Leonard said breezily, having noted Penny's displeased expression.

"Really, Leonard, have you forgotten about Alicia?" Sheldon asked.

Leonard shot a smug look at Penny. "No, I haven't forgotten Alicia."

Penny opened her mouth to say something, but clearly thought better of it. "Sheldon, your food is getting cold, Honey." She finally said.

Leonard looked between the two of them before finally leaving them.

Once he was gone, Sheldon met Penny's eyes. "Thank you, Penny. I had not expected him to make such a bold offensive."

She grinned at him. "I really hadn't, either. But I hated to see you eat alone, that's why I…," she trailed off with a gesture at her plate.

Sheldon gave her a sweet smile.

Their meal passed pleasantly, and afterwards, Penny cleared their plates. Sheldon opted to wait until the end of her shift, which was a little over an hour away, so he pulled out his laptop and did some work.

When they walked into the lobby of their building, they heard Leonard's voice coming from Vivienne's apartment. "Are you sure there isn't something I can do for you?" His tone was bordering on whiny.

Sheldon and Penny exchanged a concerned look, before continuing up the stairs.

The rest of the week moved along similar lines, Penny took Sheldon to work every day, and either picked him up if her schedule permitted, or he walked to the Cheesecake Factory to wait. In the evening, Sheldon would bring movies over for them to watch, and they sat together on her small sofa to watch, and Sheldon continued to sleep in her bed.

He found that he didn't really miss having Leonard and the others in his life. His main problem seemed to be retaking his apartment. Leonard had invited Vivienne up to their place, and Sheldon became even more reluctant to sleep there. Really, had Leonard no sense of self-preservation? Inviting a vampire in? He scoffed. He wondered if the invitation to the apartment allowed her access to Sheldon's room. He certainly didn't want to find out by having her steal into his room whilst he slept and bite him. Penny, of course, hadn't invited her over her threshold.

On Friday morning, Sheldon was aware of a strong sense of relief. Peter Vincent and his cohorts would be arriving this evening, and the matter would be settled. Then he would have to deal with Leonard. He and Penny hadn't discussed it, although he was certain that she was on his side. It was reassuring having Penny metaphorically watching his back. She was also easier to share space with than he had expected. She was far more accommodating, and amenable to his movie suggestions.

She dropped him off at work, and arranged to pick him up for their meeting with Peter Vincent.