SHELDON POV

He hurt all over. Especially his chest. Slowly he opened his eyes. The room was dark, it was night outside. He looked around slowly. Missy was asleep on the chair to his right, her arms cradling her head on his tray table. His mommy was laying on the sofa, curled up under a blanket. He continued his circuit around the room. Finally, he sighed with relief. Penny was on his left, her head on his bed. He looked at the tear streaks on her face. Her hair was tangled, her clothes rumpled.

Gently he moved his hand to her cheek. He smoothed her hair back and felt a warmth flow through him. A soft sigh slipped from between her lips and he smiled. Her eyes fluttered open and she stilled. Her eyes were wide and she spoke timidly.

"Am I dreaming, again?"

Sheldon shook his head silently and caressed her cheek again. "Hi," he whispered. "I knew you would be here when I woke up."

Penny eased up and reached for his call light. Sheldon grasped her hand and pulled her closer. He watched her eyes widen as he pulled her down to him. He didn't stop until she was close enough for him to press his lips to hers. He grinned against her lips as she gasped and then melted against him. He tugged her up onto the bed with him.

"Sheldon?" she questioned in a timid voice. He shushed her and kissed her again.

"You're not dreaming, I promise. I'm really awake." He looked into her hazel eyes. "Penny, what would you say if I told you that I've been aware all this time? That I know everything you did for me. Every tear you shed, every plea you made, every touch, whisper, song, and conversation. What would you say if I told you that the only thing I don't know is what you whispered to me that first day? What would you say if I told you that I love you? That you are the most beautiful, incredible, wonderful person I have ever known?"

Penny stared at him for several seconds. "I would say that I was so scared for you, that I missed you, that I have never been happier in my life than in this moment. That I meant what I whispered to you. I love you, Sheldon Cooper. More than life itself."

Sheldon held her tight and kissed her with all the emotion and passion inside him. After several minutes, he felt something heavy on his leg. Sheldon looked down at the little pup laying across his knee. He stared at it for a moment, and he could have sworn it winked at him. Penny reached down and ruffled it's fur.

"I found him." she said. "Or rather he found me."

Sheldon smiled at her. "I like him. Shall we keep him?"

Penny looked at him hopefully. "We?"

Sheldon maneuvered her down beside him on the bed. "Yes, Penny. We. You and I, together."

She snuggled close and laid her head on his shoulder. "Yes, Sheldon. I'd like that."

When the nurse came in to check on him, she was surprised to find Penny in his arms. They were both asleep, but from the way he was smiling, it was obvious he had regained consciousness.

His friends and family were astonished by his quick recovery. His doctors gave him a clean bill of health. They could find no reason for the heart attack, nor any lingering damage from it. Two days later, they released him into Penny's care. After all, she was his fiancé.

Leonard moved out a couple of months later, eventually getting over his jealousy. Penny moved in, along with Tock, their little yorkie, who they named for the watchdog in the book The Phantom Tollbooth. Howard spent the next year waiting for a Bazinga that never came. On the day of their wedding, he finally admitted he had been wrong. Sheldon was no robot after all, based on the way he looked at his bride as she walked up the aisle.