Author's Note: I do not own The Big Bang Theory or anything associated with it. I do however own this here little story.

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Sheldon's hug was tight, almost suffocating as if he was afraid to let go. Sheldon had hugged her on more than one occasion but something about this hug was different. It was not awkward or stiff. It was…well…warm.

"Penny, I am so sorry." Sheldon whispered against her blond hair.

"Sweetie, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to apologize for showing affection."

Sheldon pulled away still holding her at arm's length and studying her face. "No not that, I'm sorry about you and Leonard."

Penny's face instantly darkened. "Oh you heard about that already."

"Well Raj, Howard and I entered the apartment only seconds after you had left. We could tell something was afoot." Sheldon explained, his voice soft, almost human like.

Penny chuckled to herself despite being broken hearted.

"What is so funny? Have you gone insane from experiencing a traumatic event?" Sheldon asked with one cocked eyebrow.

Penny sighed. "No Sheldon, I believe I am perfectly sane. I forget sometimes that you're human and not some robot sent here to observe the behavior of Earthlings."

Sheldon seemed a little miffed at the comment and Penny instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry Sheldon that was rude. I appreciate you coming over here and comforting me."

"You are most welcome Penny. As you know I do not have the experience nor the interest in so called romantic relationships but I do know that infidelity is looked down up on in our society." He stared intensely into her eyes, making her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Yea it's a real bummer." Penny said plopping down on her turquoise couch.

Sheldon followed, tossing a few articles of clothing out of the way before sitting down. "Penny, why haven't you kept up with the organizational plan I left for you?"

Penny shot Sheldon one of her infamous death glares.

"I'm sorry Penny this may not be the appropriate time to point out your flaws." Sheldon quickly said apologizing yet not.

"Are we done here?" Penny asked becoming more irritated by the minute.

Sheldon looked confused, "What exactly am I suppose to be 'done with'?"

"I don't know. Whatever you came over here to do, are you done yet?" Penny asked again, exasperated.

"Well I came to express my sadness over Leonard's utter disregard to social conventions." Sheldon stated as Penny's shoulders seem to sag. "Did I say something inappropriate?" Sheldon asked noticing Penny's slight change in demeanor.

"Not exactly…I'm just completely and utterly devastated. Leonard was the last person that I thought would cheat on me. I mean, why does this keep happening to me? Am I some horrible person that Karma keeps screwing me over with lying, cheating boyfriends? And to hear you treat our relationship like some general 'social convention' doesn't help either!" Penny wiped a few tears from her cheeks not realizing when she had started crying. Maybe she had never really stopped.

"First off, the notion of Karma does not exist and second my intention wasn't to make you feel worse. I don't know why you've had a succession of men cheat on you; I don't think there's an equation to answer that. But-"

"Oh my God Sheldon! What the hell? Don't you understand that the one man who I thought would be different and actually love me, slept with another woman? Leonard betrayed me! And here you are claiming that you were concerned about me but the whole time you've been rambling on and on, making me feel worse! I hate how you always find a way to make me feel stupid! I know I'm stupid, okay! Just get out and don't talk to me." Penny could feel heat rising to her face and her breathing was becoming a little erratic.

Sheldon looking alarmed, shot up out of his seat. "Penny I hugged you! How is that not seen as helping? For the record Penny, you are not stupid. Yes you may have a lower IQ than myself and the others and yes you do not understand anything about mathematics or physics or…"

"Get out! Get out, get out, get out!" screamed Penny interrupting Sheldon before he dug himself further in to one of his holes.

"Fine, I can see that you are clearly emotionally distressed. If you are not going to let me finish then I'll 'get out' as you so kindly put it." Sheldon turned to exit but paused with his hand on the doorknob and his back to Penny.

"Penny you're not stupid. You're a very smart woman. You are aware of things that none of us in our circle of friends see or understand. You are more than capable of learning and doing more." Penny stared at Sheldon's back, stunned.

"And Penny-" Sheldon added as he turned around to look at her, "I am sorry that Leonard did this to you. I'm sorry that you're hurt and sad." His blue eyes rested gently on her green ones for a moment before closing the door behind him.

Penny stood there, momentarily stunned. She heard the door across the hall close. Sheldon actually said something really sweet to her. If Leonard had not been home, Penny would have run next door to return the hug.