Hello again :) Here's chapter 3; my favourite so far! As always, feedback is very welcome, I aim to grow as a writer! :) I'd also like to put it out there that I wrote the character of Mrs. Wolowitz as I think she is generally portrayed in the show and don't mean any disrespect to the late Carol Ann Susi who did a fantastic job portraying her.
The usual seven friends were eating Thai food in 4A. Reruns of Deep Space Nine were showing back to back and Sheldon, Howard and Raj were engrossed in it. Leonard on the other hand was talking to Penny about their new living arrangements while Amy and Bernadette discussed the childishness of their other halves in a somewhat comical tone.
"This is the fifth Star Wars episode we've watched," said Amy.
"Trek," Corrected Sheldon and, to everyone's surprise, Penny. Sheldon looked disappointed at his girlfriend's lack of knowledge on the TV series.
"Can't we turn it off now?" Bernadette asked, "We do actually have something to tell you all." She looked at Howard.
"Well, it's not big news, but we've decided to throw an anniversary party," Howard explained.
"Dude, I can't believe you've been married for two years," said Raj, Howard looked slightly offended. "Oh, just because it's gone so fast, not because you're useless with women," Raj corrected.
"Thanks," said Howard sarcastically. "Anyway, we've booked the hall at the Meadow Hotel and we're making an event of it, because we didn't really do anything last year. There'll be music, and dancing, and food. And you're all invited."
There were smiles all around the room, except for Sheldon.
"It sounds great," Leonard enthused. Penny and Amy agreed.
"If you need any help with planning, you know there ain't no party like a Koothra-party!"
Everyone laughed. Again, except Sheldon.
"Well, while we're on the subject of news," began Leonard, "Penny and I, for the near future, are going to be living here," he paused, "with Sheldon."
"Are you crazy?" Howard hissed at Penny, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Really, it had to be done. My landlord insists on six-month long rental contracts and mine's coming to an end next week and there's no point having another six months if Leonard and I are planning on moving somewhere else. So, it makes sense to stay here for a little while." Penny put extra emphasis on the last two words of her sentence. Everyone suspected that Penny had planned that short explanation as to why she would ever opt to live with Sheldon.
"And plus, Sheldon is pretty much forcing us to stay," added Leonard.
Amy looked disappointed.
xxx
*Knock, knock, knock* "Penny." *Knock, knock, knock* "Penny." *Knock, knock, knock* "Penny."
The door swung open.
"Sheldon, hey," Penny was a little sweaty and breathless, "sorry, just moving boxes. What's up?"
"Ummm, well, I thought I could help you pack while Leonard's at work. I have my label maker."
That time of year had come again where the university forced Sheldon to take his vacation days. This year he'd chosen to spend his days pestering Penny for lifts to the comic book store, the grocery store and the dentist. Had he nowhere to go, he'd made himself comfortable in her apartment.
"Okay, sure," said Penny hesitantly. In all honesty she guessed that Sheldon's pain-in-the-ass pickiness would slow down the process, but she could use the company.
"I'm just organising my clothes in the bedroom."
Sheldon paused at the bedroom door, a look of discomfort fell across his face.
"I thought you said you were organising your clothes?" he said.
"I am. This pile is for the stuff I wear all the time," she pointed to the largest pile which took up the whole bed. "and so that's going in my suitcase-"
"Is your suitcase a TARDIS?"
Penny blinked.
"Anyway, the rest is all going in boxes so I can worry about those later after I've moved in."
"Oh, Penny," Sheldon began, "this is all wrong. In fact, I think it's best if you leave, and let me take over."
"I haven't finished sorting through my closet yet. Here, let me make some space."
Penny gathered together some of the clothes strewn about her bedroom floor and dropped them into an open box. "There." she said.
"Aren't you going to fold those?" Sheldon asked, already walking over to the box and taking out the contents one piece at a time.
"Sweetie, that really isn't necessary. You know I'm only moving across the hall."
xxx
After an hour they had settled into a steady routine. Penny continued pulling things out of her closet, she'd throw the essentials onto the bed if not she would drop them onto the floor. Meanwhile, Sheldon was scurrying around collecting the clothes on the floor and folding each piece perfectly. He was then placing the items into one of two boxes labelled; Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. He had already filled two boxes of summer clothes, while the box for winter merely contained one old Christmas jumper.
A further hour later all of the non-essential clothes were packed. There were 12 boxes in total which Penny and Sheldon piled up in the living room. Penny poured them each a glass of water and invited Sheldon to sit down. He politely resisted the urge to point out that her work uniform was hung over the chair he liked to call his 'Spot at Penny's,' and sat down.
"Are you going to come to Howard and Bernadette's party?" Penny asked, knowing full well that Sheldon had probably come up with an unconvincing excuse already.
"Not by choice. I asked Leonard and he said that Laundry Night is not an acceptable excuse not to go to a friend's party. I'm still thinking of a better one. "
"Why don't you just decide to come, and then you don't have to worry about an excuse?" Penny suggested.
"Because I'd sooner worry about an excuse than worry about a party. Excessive noise blaring from the sound system, alcohol and the drunken morons, being forced to socialise with the intellectually inferior- although for me that is a regular occurrence."
"I think you should come, and you and Amy can make it a date-"
"Penny, we already have a schedule for date night. I can't just announce another date night. Nor do I have any desire to."
"You could, and if you did it might make Amy feel better about not living with you," Penny said. She felt a twinge of guilt. She knew she should be the side of her girlfriend, almost pushing Sheldon to live with her, and she knew Amy was so right for Sheldon. But a part of Penny felt she needed to defend Sheldon, keep him safe from a steps she knew he wasn't ready for.
"Interesting." Sheldon pondered the idea. "If it meant Amy would be less moody then I suppose that would be better. And if I did ask her on a date then she would be in my debt and she'd have to let me watch as many episodes of Star Trek as I wanted."
xxx
Amy was, of course, ecstatic that Sheldon had asked her to the party. She was around at Penny's place getting ready so that Leonard and Sheldon could pick them up together.
Luckily enough, Penny had kept a decent selection of going-out dresses in her essential suitcase of clothes and was able to pull out a gorgeous aqua-blue number that hung low and clung to her body in all the right places. She had straightened her hair and finished off the look with a sparkling yellow Penny Blossom.
Amy opted for satin pink. Since being Bernadette's maid of honour she never went to a formal event in anything else. Penny had helped her pick out a below-the-knee dress in the same material and almost the exact same shade of pink that the maid of honour's dress had been. This one had spaghetti straps and nipped in at the waist. Amy had pushed to wear the little jacket over the top but Penny insisted that she show some skin. Penny curled Amy's hair in attempt to make her look different on this special night, she also lent Amy a lipstick that matched the colour of her dress.
They sat sipping wine while their finger nails dried.
"Are you excited about moving in tomorrow?" Amy asked her friend.
"Not really," Penny admitted. "To be honest, I've no idea why Sheldon would let me live there. Leonard says he has a routine for everything. There's no way I'm being put of a bathroom schedule."
"I suppose it's only going to be for a little while," Amy said hopefully.
"Yeah, we've already been looking for our own place, that's if Sheldon ever lets us leave," Penny joked.
"Do you think he will let me move in? I mean, when you and Leonard definitely go, and he has no better option than with me?" Amy asked.
"Of course, otherwise he'll have to start screening for a new roommate."
There was a familiar knock at the door.
*Knock, knock, knock* "Penny and Amy." *Knock, knock, knock* "Penny and Amy." *Knock, knock, knock* "Penny and Amy."
"Can't you just knock like a normal person?" Came Leonard's voice from the other side of the door.
Penny pulled the door open, she was sure she heard a small gasp escape from Leonard when he caught sight of her. She suppressed a grin. Amy appeared behind her.
"You both look beautiful," said Leonard, though Amy expected she had nothing on the stunning woman who stood beside her.
"Sheldon, don't you think Amy looks pretty?" Asked Penny. She glared at him as a silent indication that he should complement his girlfriend.
"Amy you look- Very pleasant," said Sheldon. Penny rolled her eyes but it seemed enough for Amy who wrapped her arms around Sheldon in a strangling hug. He didn't move.
Leonard drove the four of them to the hotel and Sheldon didn't moan once about having to attend the party.
xxx
When they arrived in the hotel lobby Howard and Bernadette were greeting their guests. Mrs. Wolowitz was sat on a couch waiting for her son, devouring a cream cake and a cup of tea.
The hotel was classy with marble pillars and floors, beige and golden walls and even a water feature in the centre of the room. Mrs. Wolowitz sure looked out of place in a floral maxi dress which hugged her curves in all the wrong places. Penny imagined most of the guests were thankful that Howard's mother had pulled on a cardigan.
Howard seemed nervous when greeting members of Bernadette's family, some of which he hadn't met except at their wedding. Bernadette on the other hand was charming and wore a big smile to greet every single person that attended. She hugged Penny and complimented her on her dress, though Bernadette had thought it was a bit too short for a formal occasion. Howard made a seedy comment, even with his wife stood less than twelve inches away.
"Sheldon, you look great," Bernadette said with an adoring smile.
"He does, doesn't he?" said Penny who also smiled at Sheldon.
He was wearing the suit that Penny helped pick out for his award acceptance speech.
"Well, hopefully he'll keep it on for the duration of the night. I don't think Youtube really needs to see your ass again," joked Leonard. Everyone giggled, except Sheldon.
Raj arrived. The five of them left Bernadette and Howard to continue greeting guests and made their way to the back hall. The room alone was beautiful and hadn't needed much decorating. Round tables of eight bordered the room, each one had a small bunch of gold and silver balloons atop it. There was a covered buffet at one end of the room, the bar was opposite, and a live band was playing an acoustic set.
There were around four dozen people there already and judging by the number of seats available they were still waiting on another few dozen.
"Should we dance?" Penny suggested, noticing that everyone was either at the bar or sat down at a table. She had never been afraid to be the first on the dance floor.
"Sure, I'll dance with you," said Leonard.
"Sheldon?" Amy asked, holding out her hand.
"I don't dance," he told her, "in an infinite number of parallel universes, none of the Sheldon Coopers dance." Amy looked disappointed and Penny scowled at Sheldon's selfishness.
"Raj dance with Amy," Penny instructed. They both seemed happy and comfortable with the arrangement. Sheldon took his seat on their table. It would appear that Howard and Bernadette would be sitting with them and not their family members. Anyone else would have been touched by this friendly sentiment, but Sheldon was oblivious.
In the end, Penny, Leonard, Raj, and Amy ended up dancing all together in a group until Howard and Bernadette arrived. The band played a touching instrument to How Do I Live. They welcomed the happy couple onto the dance floor and then couples paired up, including Raj and Amy, to slow-dance around them.
xxx
Penny and Sheldon were waiting for their hosts to uncover the buffet. Sheldon insisted that they be the first in line so that nobody else had a chance to touch the food. Penny had been the only person to take pity on his compulsion and agreed to wait with him. Sheldon timed it almost perfectly, they only had to wait two minutes before the buffet was opened. Very quickly a line of hungry guests formed behind them. Penny filled her plate with a bit of everything, no doubt more than she would manage to eat while Sheldon took what he deemed to be the perfect amount of the right cuisine to satisfy his dietary needs.
Their table was empty when they took their seats to eat. Sheldon pointed out to Penny that their friends would have to wait at least eight minutes in line before returning to the table. It always made Penny smile when she could see Sheldon's mind working away, doing the math like a human calculator. She wondered how he found space in his brain for it all.
"How are you holding out? Missing the laundry room yet?" Penny asked with a tone of sarcasm.
"Yes," Sheldon answered honestly. "Quite frankly, this is a waste of time. Though I must admit this quiche is delicious."
"See, things are looking up. I'm just going to get a drink," Penny stood to go to the bar. In his head Sheldon counted that this would be Penny's fifth alcoholic beverage. Based on past analysis, this would be the one that made her girlish giggles and drunken tales begin tumbling from her mouth.
Penny returned from the bar before her friends returned with their food.
"Are you planning on becoming intoxicated tonight?" Sheldon asked, "I don't need to remind you that your headaches associated with a hangover are, as you put it, a real bitch. Don't forget you're moving tomorrow."
Right on cue, Penny's first drunken story came out.
"Sheldon, I'm fine," she said taking a sip of her Tequila Sunrise, "there was one night were I had so many drinks my friend and I got thrown out of a club for trying to make out with the door men. I think they'd have been cool with it had a bunch of people not snuck in without ID. I threw up so bad that night."
"Penny, over the years I have observed some of your drinking habits and I've come up with a hypothesis. When you reach your 'limit', if you will, then the first signs of your intoxication are giggling and your urge to share tales from drunken nights past." Penny giggled. "My point exactly," said Sheldon. "Now, seeing as I'm expected to help you move in tomorrow, and I plan to make that work in the most efficient way, you can't drink anymore."
Penny giggled again.
"Sheldon, I'm fine." She finished eating with still half a plate of food left over. She looked over to the now abandoned dance floor. Her eyes lit up. "Come dance with me, Sheldon," she suggested in an excited tone.
"This again. Penny, as I've told you before, I don't dance. In an infinite numb-" Penny cut him off.
"That's not true. When I first met you, you went with the guys to that Latin dance place with all of the old ladies. And I know you enjoyed it." She wore a big grin that told Sheldon that Penny knew she was right.
"How do you know about that?" Sheldon asked.
"Leonard told me. He also told me you were listening to Latin music in your room afterwards, and one time he caught you doing the steps," Penny was beaming by this point. "So, will you dance with me, Sheldon?"
"Fine. But only because you presented a valid argument. I take no pleasure in dancing."
"That's not what I heard," Penny said quietly.
xxx
Leonard, Raj, Howard, Bernadette, and Amy returned together with their food and sat at the empty table. Romantic music was playing and Sheldon and Penny were dancing.
Amy seemed put out. She leant over to Leonard.
"Don't you worry about them? I keep saying it, they're really close," she said.
"As friends," replied Leonard, "if you're asking me do I think Penny would cheat on me with Sheldon, then I'm sorry Amy, but I'd have to say you're crazy."
"Why?" Amy asked.
"Well, it was challenge enough to get Penny to go out with me, so why would she go for Sheldon. He's nerdier than I am. Plus, we're committed and engaged now. And Sheldon's sexual tendencies lie redundant in his no-physical-contact obsession. I don't think we have anything to worry about."
"Then answer me this," Amy's voice wavered a little and Leonard could hear the doubt in her voice, "if Sheldon doesn't have a thing for Penny, then why did he dance with her, but not with me?"
Leonard thought about it for a few seconds and couldn't provide a satisfactory answer. But this was Sheldon, if he was dancing with Penny he surely didn't have an ulterior motive. Such thoughts wouldn't have even crossed his mind.
"I don't like this," Amy said quietly, she got up from the table and left the hall, leaving her plateful of food untouched.
xxx
Penny closed her eyes and rested her head on Sheldon's shoulder. She had one hand held in his and the other rested around his neck. His other hand lay delicately on her waist as though he was trying not to touch her at all.
The music washed over Penny and she fell into a dream-like state. The gentle lullaby of the song, the comforting aroma of cologne that filled her nostrils and the slight light-headedness that made her relaxed and happy. They moved around in slow circles, swaying softly to the gentle sound.
Sheldon felt slightly uncomfortable with Penny's head on his shoulder, he held his head up straight to avoid the sweet scent of her green apple hair. He didn't understand why he wanted to avoid it, to him it was just another smell he enjoyed, like the smell of his Meemaw's kitchen when she baked bread. There was no logical reason for him not to enjoy the smell, the rest of his senses were actually having a great night. The music was pleasing and calming, the food was delightful and the place looked wonderful. All in all, Sheldon didn't really have a complaint about the night. He was even enjoying the dancing. He dipped his head to smell Penny's hair, he found it comforting. He rested his cheek against her head and they continued to move in circles.
On his analysis of the senses he pondered on touch. Penny's hand was rested in his and to his surprised it felt quite dainty, not the Nebraska man-hands he'd always assumed she'd had. He was surprised that his own assumption had proven inaccurate. His other hand was hovering about Penny's waist and he noticed an ache in his shoulder from keeping it elevated. He didn't like to touch anyone but since her hand was already in his and her hair was tickling his face, he saw no harm in laying his hand on the fabric of her dress.
Penny felt strangely comfortable. Sheldon really smelt good and he'd adjusted his hand placed on her hip to wrap his arm around her waist. It felt like he was pulling her into his body. She liked the feel of his warm body against her.
Her eyes snapped open. Where had that thought come from? She thought about it again. Did she really enjoy the feeling of Sheldon's body against hers? His arm wrapped around her and his head resting on hers? Sheldon had always been her friend and she'd never considered him and any sort of romantic or physical way before. This was strange. She no longer felt comfortable but she didn't want to move away from him. She took a deep breath and blamed her crazy thoughts and feelings on the alcohol. Damn, Sheldon had been right about her drinking too much.
Sheldon found it interesting that he had not been repulsed by being so close to Penny, though he made a mental note to wash his hands thoroughly once their dancing was finished. Penny had been sucking grease off her fingers after eating a chicken wing and he didn't need to be infected in whatever bacteria lived on her hands and in her mouth. Though the copious amount of alcohol she had consumed may have sterilised her mouth somewhat. Penny shuffled in his arms and so he released the hold he had around her. He hadn't realised how tightly he'd been pulling her towards him, their bodies had been pressed together so that every part of them was touching.
Penny became aware that their legs were entwined, one of her between Sheldon's and one of Sheldon's between hers. She looked down at their entanglement and it was then that she noticed Sheldon's pelvis had been pressed into her hip. That's what made her mind suddenly wander into a world of sexual curiosity. She wondered how she'd felt if Sheldon had become hard while their bodies were smashed together. She questioned why he hadn't and then remembered that he was Sheldon who didn't belong in the world of sexual urges. She imagined what his reaction would be if he had found himself in that situation. She wondered what he'd be like in bed.
She shook her head quickly as though trying to expel the thoughts. She had never let her mind wander like that and who would have thought it would be over Sheldon? She untangled herself from him and leant up to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you for dancing with me, Sweetie" she said in a tone as unfaltering as she could manage.
She walked back to the table and he followed behind her. He immediately noticed the absence of the green apple aroma and the music was far less pleasing to his ear. He identified that it was one of those situations that requires all of the elements together to be enjoyable.
"Where's Amy?" Penny asked Leonard.
"She went outside for a while," he explained, "Sheldon, you should probably go and speak to her."
"Why?" Sheldon asked, completely oblivious.
"Just go," said Leonard.
xxx
Sheldon found Amy in the lobby, sat by the water fountain. She was trailing her fingers through the glistening liquid while wearing a look of utter melancholy. She turned away when she saw him approaching.
"Amy?" Sheldon said in his usual voice, "Why are you out here?"
"I don't want to speak to you," she said, though she didn't mean it. A part of her wanted to shout at him and tell him how hurt she was.
"Okay," he said. Taking her literally he turned on his heel and headed back to the hall. Penny beat him to the door and came out into the lobby.
"Ames?" she called as she hurried over to her friend. Sheldon followed. "Leonard just told me why you're out here. You've got it all wrong." Penny couldn't help feeling slightly guilty because Amy hadn't got it entirely wrong, Penny had had those thoughts about Sheldon. But it was only in the moment and she was sure it meant nothing.
"Then ask him why he would dance with you and not with me?" Amy said. They both looked at Sheldon.
"Penny provided a very plausible argument, I can't dispute the logic," he explained.
"Sheldon, go and dance with Amy," Penny instructed.
Amy looked at Penny. She was going to bring up that Penny had feelings for Sheldon but looking at them now the notion seemed like childish doubt that she'd made up. And she wasn't going to pass on the opportunity to dance with Sheldon.
Penny slumped into a chair as Sheldon and Amy disappeared through the door. The effects of alcohol were wearing off and now she was haunted by her own almost-clear thoughts. She was jealous. She didn't want Amy to dance with Sheldon, she didn't want Sheldon to want Amy. If Sheldon was going to want anyone as more than a friend, Penny wondered why it wasn't her.
She glanced at the glittering ring on her finger and for the first time it didn't appeal to her. Oh God, Leonard. She had a sudden reality shock that she was engaged to be married to a man whose heart she couldn't stand to break, but she was still having thoughts about another man. And this time it was Sheldon. Sheldon! Why did she want him? Something about his innocence and naivety screamed out to her. Something about those forbidden arms holding her tonight.
xxx
Amy's dance with Sheldon was awkward, even by her standard. He placed one hand on each of her hips while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their movements weren't fluid like the dance Sheldon had experienced earlier and there was always four of five inches between the two of them. Sheldon didn't pull Amy close nor did he smell her hair. Amy noticed and felt betrayed but this was the first time Sheldon had ever danced with her and she didn't want to sully the moment.
They only danced for one song and then Sheldon took his hands from Amy's hips. She looked into his eyes hopefully, but he was shut off. He was the usual Sheldon who has no desire to sit too close to another person let alone do anything else.
Amy was disappointed but knew when she went to bed that night her thoughts would be of the feeling of Sheldon's hands touching her hips and the way they moved together. To her it was romantic and an accomplishment as far as their relationship was concerned.
xxx
The guests started to filter out. Raj stayed behind to help Howard and Bernadette tidy up. Sheldon and Amy found Leonard outside holding Penny's hair back as she threw up into the shrubbery.
"I warned you about your intake of alcohol," came Sheldon's voice.
It wasn't the alcohol. Penny didn't feel even the smallest bit drunk. She'd been sitting in her chair by the water fountain. She'd been pondering on her guilt for having such betraying thoughts. She really cared for Leonard and he didn't deserve to have a fiancée who couldn't keep her mind on who she should.
But the guilt had vanished quickly and was replaced by the image of Sheldon dancing with her, only this time she had been watching from the side-lines. An all-too-perfect Sheldon and Penny looked at peace in each other arms. But then the Penny had morphed into an Amy and Sheldon was smelling her hair. He tucked it back behind her ear and kissed her fully on the mouth. Her hands were all over him, she ripped open his shirt and the buttons flew off like in a cheesy movie. His lips were on her neck, biting and sucking, and Penny couldn't breathe, nor could she drag her eyes from the scene before her.
Sheldon had return to Amy's mouth and Penny could see his tongue sliding in and out, wrestling with Amy's. Amy kissed back hungrily. He whispered something in her ear and Penny wanted to know what it was. What was he saying to her? His shirt was hanging off one arm and he's pulled down Amy's dress. Penny saw her stood in sexy lingerie and Sheldon's eyes gleamed with desire. Penny blinked hard and when she opened her eyes they were both naked, sprawled on the dance floor, Sheldon coming down on top of Amy over and over again.
Penny was sweating and she couldn't catch her breath. He snapped out of her thoughts and found herself still by the water fountain in the lobby. Her nails were digging in to the arms of the chair and she was hot, sweaty, and breathless, just like the Penny in the daydream. She couldn't shake the image of Sheldon having sex with Amy, wanting her, needing her. Her stomach churned and she leapt up to run outside.
That's when Leonard found her, throwing up on the nearside of the parking lot.
The four of them climbed in to Leonard's car. Penny sat in the front with the window rolled down. Her head was a hazy mess. The more she tried to make sense of it, the harder it became to understand. She tried pushing the thoughts out of her mind, she wanted to wake up tomorrow and realise it really was the drink, but the more she tried to forget, the louder the images came screaming back.