They don't see her for a week.

When they do, she's with Penny outside the comic book store and she has ballet equipment with her. She looks brighter, happier, and so does Penny.

"Glad to see you out of that apartment," Leonard gave her a reassuring smile. "Dancing again?"

Rita nodded softly, adjusting the duffle over her shoulder; her ballet skirt draped down to her knees. "There's a studio just down the road. They had an opening," she reached up, fingers lingering around her eye and everyone understood the unspoken implication. She dropped her hand immediately and continued to smile. "Everyone's really sweet and its a positive atmosphere. I signed up today."

"That's good," Raj chirped, fingers tapping on the back of the comic in his hand. "I've always wanted to try out there. They have a male -"

Howard elbowed him, rolling his eyes despite Raj's glare. "So, we're doing lunch," Howard grinned. "Care to join us?"

Rita actually smiled broadly this time, cheeks flushed with excitement. "Sure," she looked to Penny. "You're coming right?"

Penny chuckled. "Of course," she placed a hand on Rita's shoulder. "But I have to run one more errand so you mind spending a half hour with these guys?"

Rita hesitated, looking over at Sheldon, who was staring down at his comic book with as much excitement as she had when she was accepted at the studio. She smiled a little and looked back at Penny, who had that knowing glint in her eye; she'd never hear the end of this one and she didn't mind one bit.

"Sure," Rita shrugged. "Just don't be too long."

Penny pat her shoulder and nodded at the boys. "Half hour, I'll text you guys."

Leonard was the one to nod and Penny pecked him on the cheek before heading down the opposite direction on the sidewalk. Leonard looked over at Rita, who appeared to be filling out, had one time at a dance studio really helped that much? Apparently so.

"Lets go guys," Leonard bobbed his head.

Rita fell in step beside Sheldon subconsciously, Leonard just in front of her with Raj and Howard taking lead. She watched them talking animatedly to each other and the sight warmed her, seeing two people so close. She had hears Penny and Leonard being all cute-couple-like in the living room the other night and it was pleasing to know there were still decent people filled with so much trust and love for each other.

The neutral party seemed to be Rita and Sheldon.

She blames the attraction to an oddly angled, oddly demented person like Sheldon Cooper on circumstance.

"Your handicap did not hinder your performance, I'm assuming," Sheldon spoke up then, not missing a beat as he glances down at little Rita.

She looked up at him, feeling that odd way at his backhanded comment. "Actually yes," she paused. "But the instructor said I could work through it. So I'm going to try."

Silence.

Well, relatively. They were walking down a busy street after all, there was no way for it to be completely silence. The shift made Rita very uncomfortable, but she wouldn't say anything.

"I'm...glad you are getting back on your feet."

Rita looked back up at him, fingers tightening around the duffel strap. "Thank you, Sheldon," she murmured.

He didn't say anything in response, and she was just fine with that.

"Uh, excuse me?"

Rita sighed and looked over at Penny where she sat on the end of Rita's bed. Several outfits were scattered around Penny but she wasn't helping Rita pick one, she was still confused even after a half hour of explaining.

Rita had a date.

And not with a stranger.

"Sheldon asked me out for dinner," Rita spoke slowly. "Why is that so confusing?"

Penny deadpanned. "You're kidding me, right?"

Rita paused, twisting slightly in the mirror; red and tight on the hips, but not obscene. "Okay," she started. "I understand. He's weird and he's cynical," she raked her hair back into a long braid, tying off the end with a black tie. "But I actually feel comfortable with him and I'm gonna go. He's nothing like..."

When she didn't finish, Penny frowned at her limp posture and pained expression in the mirror. Penny stood and approached her best friend, placing her hands on her shoulders and smiling at her in the mirror.

"You look pretty," Penny assured her.

Rita smiled a little. "My eye," she murmured.

Penny pat her arm and turned, headed for the bathroom. "Let's tape it over."

Rita nodded and followed her slowly, her feet shuffling bare over the carpet. She still needed shoes and maybe a xanax, she was nervous. It was a little much for her, but something said it was okay to be going with Sheldon. If he had any devious plans, she was pretty sure she could overpower him and get away, then Penny would hurt him for her. But Rita wouldn't let Penny get in trouble for her. Sheldon wasn't like her ex, he was the complete bloody opposite.

She didn't have to worry.

Penny had her sit on the edge of her tub as she meticulously put a bandage over her eye, cutting her perception in half. "If you need me," Penny started, closing the first aid kit. "Just call."

Rita nodded and stood. "Gotcha."

The familiar knock sounded at the door and while Penny rolled her eyes, Rita chuckled. The knock was annoying for sure, but routine was perfect for her.

"Go answer him," Rita stood. "I'm going to get my shoes."

Penny nodded and they split in the hallway, Penny arching an eyebrow when she saw the way Sheldon was dressed. He was dressed in formal wear, but not the normal way where he looked like carpet from the 70's. He looked slightly annoyed that it was Penny, but she was used to him always looking annoyed so she just waved him in.

"She's coming," was all she said, closing the door softly.

He didn't sit. "Obviously," he murmured.

Penny leaned back on the door, arms crossed over her chest; he grew uncomfortable at her staring but didn't look at her. "Why'd you ask Rita out?"

He looked at her then. "An experiment," he stated bluntly.

Penny ground her teeth together. "You're a douche."

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "I am not going to be poking her with needles and hooking her up to machines. A social experiment. A plain evening to test some grounds."

Penny paused but didn't have time to say anything else, she heard Rita coming. The young woman looked rather uncomfortable, smiling sheepishly when she saw Sheldon. She clasped her hands in front of her as she stood beside Penny, doing a small rotation.

"I'm ready," she said, voice just above a whisper.

Sheldon nodded once. "I see that," he waved a hand at the door that Penny was holding open. "Shall we?"

Rita smiled and stepped out first, looking back at Penny as Sheldon slipped out second. She had this very, very confused look on her face and Rita almost chuckled.

"I'll call you when we're on our way home," Rita promised.

Penny blinked out of whatever plane she was in and smiled in a co fused way. "Gotcha," lame.

Rita wasn't fazed, just waved a hand and went to catch up to Sheldon, who had already descended the stairs.

I just can't seem to get into long chapters with this fandom.