(16 year old Sheldon Cooper has taken it on himself to rescue a 13 year old girl by the name of Penny from an abusive environment.)


January 1997

The speed with which everything was arranged made Penny's head spin. In only three weeks time she found herself on a plane for England. In just four days she would be the newest student at the Royal High School in the town of Bath. Mrs. McDougal, the head mistress was going to meet her plane and then take her to the dormitory.

Penny wasn't sure if she was more scared or excited. She would miss Daddy and Papaw and her sister Cassie. But she also thought that maybe, finally, she could be safe. She opened up the letter the lawyer had given her and read it for the hundredth time.

Dear Penelope,

I hope you are alright. I wish I could have made arrangements quicker, but sometimes formalities take time. You have a great opportunity here. Use it wisely. Do not let the pain and anger of the past carry over into the future. Rise above it and be who you are meant to be. If you need anything, please feel free to contact Mr. Finley.

Sincerely Mr. Cooper

She clutched the letter tight in her hand. It was the Father. It had to be. He had helped her with his kind words in Germany. And now he had rescued her from half way around the world! She smiled happily and said a silent prayer that his God never forgets what Father Cooper had done for her.


February 1997

He was debating on what to do next. His lecture tour was over. He had received his Ph.D. He had offers from Texas A&M, Cal-Tech, Harvard, Stanford, and the two private universities in Europe. There were other offers, too, but none he took seriously. He sifted through correspondence from the schools absently. He opened the last envelop and pulled out the missive inside. Sheldon frowned for a moment. Pink? He looked at the address on the front and saw that it had been forwarded to him from his lawyer's office. He unfolded the papers and began reading.

January 25th 1997

Dear Father Cooper,

I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me! I am so happy that I am in Bath, England! I love my new school so much! It's like a castle! I even have a roommate, named Alynn. She's from Finland, can you believe it?

Mrs. McDougal gave me an aptitude test when I got here. She says I show a lot of talent for writing, and is placing me in an advanced literature course. It's going to be a lot of hard work, she said, but she thinks I will be good at it. No one ever told me I could be good at something before!

Father Cooper, I wish I could see you once more and tell you face to face how much of an angel you are! You saved me. I will always love you for that!

Your friend,

Penelope Queen

Sheldon smiled slightly and folded the letter before sliding it back in the envelope. He was glad he had helped her. He turned his attention back to the mail before him and promptly put her out of his mind.


March 1997

Dear Father Cooper,

I got my first essay back from my literature class! I got a B! Can you believe it? I wrote an essay that compared social issues in "1984" by George Orwell to current social problems. My next assignment is a dissection of The Old Man and the Sea. I'll start reading it tonight. I hope you are doing well. It would be nice to hear from you, but I'm sure you are probably very busy.

Your Friend

Penelope Queen


May 1997

Dear Father Cooper,

School is going really well. Except for math, that is. I have managed to maintain a C in the course, but it's difficult. Alynn helps me study, and she's a top student, but I have trouble understanding all the algebra stuff. I'm getting B's in everything else but Literature. I have an A in it. I really love the class. Mrs. Dougal wanted to enter my name in a special summer course but my Daddy said no. He says I need to go home for the summer break. He says Papaw misses me and so does Cassie. I hope you are okay. I hope to hear from you. Even if it's just a simple hello.

Your friend,

Penelope Queen.


August 1997

Dear Father Cooper,

I am sorry I haven't written sooner. I hurt my hand helping on the farm. I'm better now. I miss school. Only two weeks before I go back. I hope you are well.

Your friend,

Penelope Queen


September 1997

I'm back at school! Alynn said she missed me as much as I missed her. It's great to be back! I'm in a different room this time, and Alynn isn't my roommate anymore, but she's just across the corridor, so it's okay. Marisa is my new roommate and she's really shy. We're the two youngest students, still only 14, so we can't go to the fall dance. I wish I could. I'd love to hang out and dance with all my friends. The school hosts the dance with the boy's school across town. I've never danced with a boy. Is it any different than dancing with my friends?

Oh, and I'm back in my favorite course! I spent the summer reading every chance I got, which means mostly at night. I am really prepared for this year! I hope you are well. Would you please write me? Just a small note?

Your friend,

Penelope Queen


December 1997

Dear Father Cooper,

Papaw died. Dad says it was a heart attack. I miss him. Please write me.

Your friend, Penelope Queen


A/N

Most of the first few chapters are Penny's letters to Sheldon, who she mistakenly believes is a priest. There is a little of Sheldon here, but not much. I wanted to show Penny's thoughts and feelings as she grows.