AN: Chapter two for you, lovelies! The first half or so is Sheldon's interpretation of events at the airport. I'm going to be alternating between Penny and Sheldon's points of view throughout the story. Enjoy!
Sadly, The Big Bang Theory isn't mine. One can only dream!
It had commenced upon their departure for the Arctic.
Sheldon had begrudgingly allowed Penny to drive him, Leonard, Howard and Raj to the airport, despite the fact that her check engine light continued to blink, which he reminded her at regular intervals throughout the ride. Upon their arrival, Leonard had proceeded to throw himself on Penny. Sheldon sighed inwardly; Leonard had clearly either not realized or didn't care about the blatantly obvious fact that Penny did not reciprocate his feelings. In fact, he calculated that the odds of Penny coming to some realization of her adoration for Leonard were one in five million six hundred eighty two thousand and thirty one. In other words, it wasn't going to happen.
After Penny had awkwardly reciprocated Leonard's overzealous hug, she moved on to Howard. Sheldon, in his infinite knowledge, could already see the danger lurking around the corner, but Penny seemed oblivious to the risk. Sure enough, Howard's hand began creeping slowly downward until it came to rest directly on her backside. Sheldon counted down in his head. 3...2...1... SMACK! Penny slapped a very smug looking Howard away. Upon hugging Raj, the Indian man turned beet red and turned his pelvis away, lightly returning the hug.
Sheldon wearily expected that Penny would want to invade his personal space and hug him goodbye. What he didn't expect was the slight twinge of affection he felt when Penny threw her arms around his neck. He found himself not stiff and unresponding as he usually was when physical contact was involved, but wrapping his arms around her waist and shyly returning the hug. What on earth is happening here? I detest physical contact! Sheldon thought, abruptly pulling away from Penny. Perhaps I am becoming ill. Yes, that must be it. Hopefully my health will be regained upon our arrival to the Arctic...
Waving goodbye to Penny, the boys all walked towards the check-in counter. After passing through security and finding their gate, with Sheldon complaining the whole time about the lack of hygiene in airports, they boarded their plane. Sheldon sat down and promptly shut his eyes, trying not to think about the amount of recirculated air currently in the aircraft. He attempted to distract himself from this fact throughout the take-off, deciding to think about all the things he found fascinating. Schrodinger's cat... black holes... The Flash... Doctor Who... the String Theory... Penny...
Hold on. Penny? Where had that come from? Since when did he find Penny fascinating? Sheldon felt overwhelmed with confusion, until he assured himself that what he must find fascinating was Penny's overall lack of knowledge. Yes, that must be it. Not Penny herself. He reassured himself, but felt the tiniest hint of doubt coloring his thoughts.
Yes, I am definitely becoming ill. Sheldon shook his head, settling back into his seat to try and sleep through the lengthy flight.