Sheldon's eyes opened up, slightly startled. Something was just a bit off. Not only was he on his side, but he quickly realized that this wasn't even his own room.
The night before flooded back and then he remembered, and calmed down a little. He should have quickly gotten out of her bed. But he didn't want to; he was way too comfortable. He had warmth against his chest; she was tucked under his chin, wrapped up in his arms, snoring lightly. If he had known that sleeping with someone else would be this pleasant…he'd have done it years ago. Although it wouldn't have been Penny, so it didn't matter.
He wondered what Leonard (and other boyfriends whom he had the misfortune of meeting) had meant by her being a restless sleeper? She hadn't moved once during the night, only a little bit to get closer to him. And her snoring, well, that was okay. It wasn't loud and disruptive. Maybe it was never her, maybe it was those she shared the bed with.
He wondered if she'd like to keep sharing a bed with him. The thought had his fuzzy with sleep mind reeling a little bit. Although, he felt a little excited about the idea of doing this again. Simply sleeping with her in the most innocent meaning of the term. And then his mind drifted to other possibilities. He stopped that train of thought quickly, chastising himself for going there.
Sheldon couldn't help but think how the thought of laying with Penny made him calm and happy, versus when the thought of doing this with Amy wracked him with terror. He thought about how this wouldn't have been innocent with her; she would have tried to manipulate the situation to benefit herself. He trusted Penny and she never did anything to him that he didn't want her to. She didn't force him and then throw a fit if he didn't do it.
He knew he had to get up. Had to make the shuffled trek across the hall and into his own apartment. He had to make sure Leonard didn't know he was at Penny's-the insinuations that would come up. Although part of him wanted Leonard to know, to assume. He also wanted to keep this between himself and Penny a little bit longer.
Rolling away slightly, Sheldon was able to slip out from around Penny. She moaned and nuzzled into his pillow and he tucked the covers around to keep her warm. He reached for his robe and put on his slippers.
"Sheldon?" Penny asked in a sleepy tone.
Sheldon sighed; he hadn't wanted to wake her. He placed his hand on her back and rubbed it up and down. "Go back to sleep, Penny," Sheldon whispered.
Penny nodded and snuggled back into the bed.
His lips quirked up at the corner and he turned and left her room silently.
Leonard found Sheldon on the sofa eating his cereal and watching Doctor Who. It almost seemed like a normal morning. But Leonard felt like disrupting whatever the robot man was planning on doing. It was just too much fun to poke him until he squirmed, especially since now he had the upper hand.
Sheldon glanced over as Leonard made his way to the kitchen, but he didn't say anything, just kept eating his honey puffs. Leonard paused for a moment, he felt like Sheldon should have been eating from the high end of the fiber count after yesterday.
"I was thinking about asking Penny to go to the movies with me," Leonard said with a grin as he started to make some coffee.
Sheldon stopped chewing and then he swallowed the lump and glanced over at Leonard. "You might succeed in causing a rift between Penny and me… but she won't take you back," Sheldon said calmly.
Leonard shook his head. "See, this is where you're wrong. You don't understand this kind of relationship. This thing that Penny and I have. It's meant to be." Leonard was speaking honestly. Although, he had this glint in his eyes.
Sheldon was suddenly not hungry anymore and the 12th Doctor wasn't so appealing. Sheldon just stared at his bowl of cereal, dreading what was else would come out of Leonard's mouth.
"Also, I'm the best boyfriend Penny's going to have. I'm the best husband." Leonard said it with an air of confidence in his words. "She will realize that soon enough."
Sheldon stood up and took his bowl to the sink. He didn't meet Leonard's eyes. He was thinking of something to say.
"She needs me. She needs what I can give her. We're perfect together. We're meant to be." Leonard said finally. Almost as if, he was trying to prove this to Sheldon.
"Penny doesn't need you," Sheldon finally said. He turned to Leonard. "She is more than capable of being single and successful." He turned back to the sink to wash his dish. "She doesn't need external validation, only support. She knows she is beautiful, she knows she is talented, she just needs someone who is honest with her." I am that someone… he thought the last part, wanted so badly to say it out loud.
"How long do you think this will last?" Leonard asked. "the two of you relying on each other for emotional support. She needs more," Leonard crossed his arms over his chest and huffed.
Sheldon turned back to Leonard. He wanted to try to form the right words, wanted to say just the right thing to shut Leonard up. He squeezed his eyes shut. "You can't-"
"She's mine! I saw her first!" Leonard cut him off, sounding every bit like a spoiled child.
"Penny isn't an object, Leonard. She's a human being. She's intelligent, kind, sweet, and strong. But she's also fragile and you've hurt her, you hurt her trust. You can't do that. You can't go halfway with Penny. If you're going to love her, you have to love her the whole way," Sheldon said. He kept his eyes fixed on Leonard. "You can't claim her and use her and think so poorly of her. She's more than that."
Leonard was looking back at Sheldon a little stunned. He searched his eyes and then his widened with realization. "You're in love with Penny..."
Sheldon's eyes widened and his heart sped up and he spun around so Leonard couldn't see him twitch.
"Oh, my god. You've fallen in love with her," Leonard said it again; the chuckle that followed stung Sheldon. "That's funny."
"I don't see why you find that notion funny. Furthermore, you have no proof. You're simply assuming," Sheldon spoke as carefully as he could. "She's my friend and I care for her." His voice shook.
"It's funny because it's also kind of sad. You've always had this weird crush on her, haven't you?" Leonard asked. "Yeah, I see it now. But do you actually think she'll love you back?"
Sheldon didn't want to hear any of this.
"You're practically a robot, and your girlfriend left you because of that. Do you really think that Penny, Penny who loves giving hugs and snuggling and kissing and... sex... would ever consider you as a mate?" Leonard's tone was harsh.
Sheldon didn't realize his hands were shaking until he looked down at them. His back still turned to Leonard; he made his hands into fists and squeezed his eyes shut.
"I am capable of-" Sheldon didn't get to finish.
Leonard kept talking as if he hadn't heard Sheldon. "I mean, it's actually sad. Penny would never go for you. She might be your friend, but I assure you, she'd start laughing in your face if you asked her out." Leonard almost regretted those words coming out of his mouth. but he couldn't back off now.
Sheldon felt rage building up. Not only was Leonard thinking so low of him, but also his words about Penny were just... He had never felt so much malice towards another human.
His large hands were in fists and his body and heart were screaming at him to shut Leonard up. His brain was starting to side with them.
And then his phone made a noise. There it was, tucked into his robes pocket, with the soft piano notes. Unless one was familiar with the song, it would go unnoticed. Sheldon knew the tune; it's why he assigned it as her text tone. The song was her ringtone. All the rage he felt left his body. All the sadness and depression followed soon after that. He didn't even have to look at his phone. He just knew it her, and knew it was something kind. Something very Penny.
He relaxed his fists and slipped his hands into his robe pockets. He turned to Leonard. "I'm going to get ready for my day now. I have some errands to run, so I won't be home until later." Sheldon walked past Leonard and down the hall.
Leonard was stunned. Stunned at how Sheldon simply brushed away everything. "Maybe he really is a robot." He murmured. He was still smirking. The idea of Sheldon and Penny made him chuckle. She'd never shown any interest in the man. He was fine.
When Penny did wake up, she was well rested and happy. She grabbed at the side of the bed and found it empty. That was a little disappointed. She was feeling frisky and wanted a tall Texan to play with a little bit. Penny shot up from under the covers after that thought. What on earth?
She managed to get out bed and find her way to the bathroom. She needed coffee. Penny had long ago stopped the habit of needing coffee from the boys-having a well-paying job helped. Still, she missed those days of stopping by the boys place in the morning.
Penny had gotten a coffee maker that had a timer and so as long as she remembered to fill it the night before she'd be set. Only last night she hadn't. Yet, there was coffee being brewed. A warm feeling filled her chest as she thought of Sheldon. Her mind raced a little... started thinking of how he would never forget an anniversary, how he'd make sure little things were done around the house, that the doors were locked, kids were tucked in and safe, the cat was inside and that there was coffee in the maker for her in the morning. How he wouldn't do it because he had to. But because he wanted to.
Penny wasn't really shocked when she thought about this. She was more startled at the thought of being married to him didn't scare her. He would never cheat on her, lying would be impossible, but he wasn't dishonest so he wouldn't even try to begin with. He'd be sweet towards her, patent with their kids. Yes, he could be crazy and neurotic, but she could see him being less of that.
Penny quickly gulped some of the hot liquid to calm her crazy wandering imagination.
She sighed happily. These were dreams she knew she couldn't attain. Although he seemed receptive to her touch and enjoyed it, she wasn't sure he'd want to be with her that way, kissing all the time, coitus... hell, that's why Amy left him.
No, she'd have to be his friend and that's it. Penny reached for her phone and quickly sent him a good morning text. She set it down and sipped her coffee.
Deciding to get ready for her day, she finished her coffee and walked back to her bedroom. Thoughts of Sheldon helping her cook and Sheldon changing diapers floating through her head.
When she was finally in her Jeep, she started it up and drove out of the garage and onto the street. She spotted him standing at a bus stop a couple of blocks away. Jeans on, his Green Lantern tee poking out from under his darker members only jacket. Messenger back across his chest. Looking all sorts of cute and awkward. God she loved him.
Penny almost swerved off the road when she realized that she was in love with the wackadoodle.
She pulled up to the bus stop and pressed the button for the window. She leaned over the seat and smiled.
Sheldon's mind was buzzing. Her text had been a simple one-"Good morning, sweetie!" he had smiled a little bit. Gotten ready for the day and left his apartment.
He wanted to ignore everything Leonard had said. He knew he should. Yet, doubt crept in. Why would Penny ever want to be his girlfriend? He felt a chill down his spine at the thought. The thought of being able to kiss her freely and hold her. Then he felt like she wouldn't want that. She kissed him on the lips but she was just affectionate. She wouldn't want anything more from him.
Leonard was right; she would want so much affection and sex. He thought about that. What it would feel like to be with her in that way. He knew he'd enjoy it. He enjoyed everything he did with Penny.
He huffed slightly. No, she'd find a new guy... someone who was more her speed.
He was staring at his shoes. Jeans adorned his legs. He was waiting at the bus stop. No "bus pants" on today. He figured jeans were protection enough. He also didn't plan on sitting.
"Hey stranger, going my way?!" A familiar female voice called out.
Sheldon looked up startled. Penny was leaning towards the passenger side of the Jeep, the widow rolled down. Smiling brightly at him.
Sheldon tried not to smirk. "Penny, I hope you don't make it a habit of going around and picking up people waiting for the bus." He got in the Jeep and put his seatbelt on.
Penny smiled at him, her eyes hidden behind her sunglasses. "Only when they're tall and cute."
Sheldon's eyes went a little wide at her statement and he tried to comprehend what she was saying as they drove off.
Any and all doubts he may have had vanished when Penny started talking to him about some of the errands she had to do today, asking him if he wanted to go anywhere special… he watched her talk as she drove and he realized something. There was one thing that Leonard had said that was true though, he was falling in love with Penny.
Part of him knew he'd already smashed to the ground in a millions pieces, though.
Theoretically of course. One could actually shatter into a million pieces.
Raj knocked on Howard's door getting impatient. When it finally opened, Howard motioned for him to enter.
"So she just slapped him?" Howard asked as Raj followed him to the couch.
"Yeah, dude. Hard, too. I was shocked." Raj replied.
"Okay, let's see these emails," Howard said as he took the printed out pages from Raj. He looked them over and then sat down at his laptop that was on the coffee table. "I think I can hack into her email and see where these came from." He started typing away.
Raj didn't even think of any ethics issues. "Good. I don't like seeing them that way." Raj replied.
"Yup. Also I have my heart set on mashed potatoes. You know, Sheldon makes damn good mashed potatoes," Howard said.
"This is true... yeah, we need to fix this now." Raj sat next to Howard and watched the screen.
"Penny, Penny, Penny," Sheldon said in his slightly condescending tone.
Penny could only smirk, amused that he hadn't changed. She rolled her eyes. "Yes, dear?"
Sheldon was momentarily thrown off by the new term of endearment she used for him. However, he blinked and got back on track. "The new Star Wars movie isn't boring... it's amazing and I'm so excited about it." Sheldon said his voice getting light and happy.
"I know, sweetie, I'm actually a little excited as well. The newest trailer gave me chills," Penny admitted.
Sheldon was pleased by this answer.
Sheldon had his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans and Penny had her hands gripping his bicep as they casually walked along. It was chilly out, in the low 60's and breezy.
Sheldon cleared his throat as they walked; he looked around and licked his lips. "I enjoyed sleeping with you last night," he said. He realized how that sounded. "I mean… sleeping next to you," he amended.
Penny's heart sped up and she looked up at him. "I liked it, too. A lot actually. You're like a heated blanket."
Sheldon arched an eyebrow. "Maybe it's because of the inadequate sleep clothes you chose to wear." Sheldon said. He had to bite his tongue so he wouldn't say how he enjoyed her tiny clothes.
Penny shrugged, "I guess I'll have to keep you in my bed then," she whispered.
Neither of them realized what that had sounded like. Or at least they chose to ignore it.
"Leonard ruined Doctor Who for me this morning," Sheldon said. He had been debating on telling her about this morning's events.
"Oh, no! What did he do?" Penny asked as she stepped away and looked at him, hurt and anger flashing over her face.
And so, he relayed everything that was said. By the end of it, Penny was angry. Well, angry was an understatement.
"Why would he-that little shit!" Penny hissed. She tried to stay calm, though-they were, after all, out in public.
Sheldon rubbed her back gently, "I didn't want to anger you," Sheldon said with a sigh.
Penny shook her head. "I'm okay. I want to toss him off the roof, but I'll wait."
Sheldon huffed out a little laugh and Penny looked at him surprised at the sound.
"I don't want to avoid you anymore," Penny said suddenly. She realized it had only been a day of pretending to be mad at him. but she knew she couldn't keep doing it.
Sheldon nodded, he understood. "Yeah, sneaking over at 1am is going wreak havoc on my REM cycle during the week."
"I have an idea…" Penny motioned for him to follow her into a store. He wasn't paying attention to the store and followed her in, more interested in her idea.
"I forgive you, because you convinced me that you didn't actually send the emails," Penny said as she browsed the merchandise. The store was dark and loud music was blasting from seemingly everywhere.
It was then that Sheldon looked around. He'd never been in this store, but they had nerd/geek type stuff everywhere. He arched an eyebrow.
"And what would that do?" Sheldon asked as a very tattooed young woman walked past him and popped her gum, giving him a once over.
"We'll be all buddy buddy, but… he will constantly be worried that you will tell on him, and if I know him well enough, he will continue to try and make you look bad," Penny said as she picked up something.
Sheldon stopped following her when she spun around. If the flashing lights and loud music weren't going to give him a heart attack, the sight of Penny holding up a pair of The Flash panties would have.
His eyes grew wide. "What is this place?" he asked. His voice sounded like he was on the verge of panic.
"You've never been in Spencer's?" Penny asked as she grabbed a couple other super hero undies.
Sheldon tried to avert his eyes. Now he knew that on any given day, she might be wearing his heroes… down there. Oh, god, his brain would go into overdrive trying to figure that out.
"No, it's… not my sort of store," Sheldon said. It really wasn't. Also the young girls whom worked there always hit on him, commented on his shirts and offered him dog collars. That was an awkward 15 minutes of Google.
Penny only shrugged and carried the items to the checkout. Sheldon stood behind her, keeping his eyes on anything but the counter.
"Cute! These match his shirt!" The girl behind the counter said.
This made Sheldon look up, and he almost squawked. She held up a thong... the string kind, and the only patch of cloth was in the shape of the Green Lantern symbol on the front.
"I'm going to wait outside," Sheldon said as he turned on his heel and stalked out.
Penny was blushing but also giggling. Maybe she'd let him see her other pairs at home… Leonard never knew about them…. But she'd let Sheldon see them. Penny almost choked on air when that thought crossed her mind.
Sheldon let out a breath. He tried to think of anything… when the heat went out in the arctic… anything so he couldn't imagine Penny wearing those unmentionables and his shirt. Oh, god-he had so many shirts she could pair with those unmentionables. He would gladly give them all to her.
He was doomed.
Sheldon was sitting and watching TV and Leonard was on his computer. Sheldon really wished Leonard's head would suddenly explode. When he had gotten home late that afternoon, Leonard didn't even look up at him. Sheldon had just went about his usual Saturday afternoon schedule, getting ready for his laundry night.
And then the front door opened and Penny burst in. "Sheldon!" She yelled.
Sheldon jumped and looked at her shocked. Leonard almost fell out of his chair. Leonard spun around to watch the scene unfold before him.
Penny looked pissed. She walked right up to where Sheldon was sitting and leaned over him. "Tell me again, look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't write those emails," Penny said. Her tone was calm but fierce.
Sheldon swallowed hard and looked her in the eyes. "I swear to you... I didn't write them," he said in a steady voice.
Penny's whole demeanor melted. She sighed and nodded and then she plopped down onto the couch next to Sheldon. "Sorry for slapping you, sweetie," Penny said before she leaned over kissed his cheek.
Sheldon's eyebrow twitched. "Actually it was this cheek," he said and turned his head to her. She leaned over and kissed his other cheek.
"Sorry, sweetie." She said it in a more sweet tone.
"You're forgiven, Penny," Sheldon said with a tiny smile.
"What's going on?!" Leonard asked from where he had been sitting this whole time... shocked.
Penny looked at him, almost surprised to see him. "Oh, hey, Leonard." She gave him an awkward wave.
"What, um-what's-what changed since yesterday?" Leonard asked strangely, as he stood up and walked to the sofa. He sat next to Penny.
Penny had to stop herself from punching him. "Well, I got to thinking that it just didn't make any sense! He's never done anything like this. Sheldon isn't mean like that. Sure he's brutally honest but he isn't mean."
"So you just believe him?" Leonard asked. He really hated Sheldon right now, Penny could tell.
"I can't lie, Leonard," Sheldon said. "And Penny is choosing to take the past 8 years into account of myself being a very loyal and trusting friend to her. I have a solid record." He said it almost smugly.
Leonard gritted his teeth and then relaxed. "Well, that's great!" He said, almost too enthusiastically. "This is good! No more tension!"
"Yeah. Now we just have to find out who wrote those emails and tried to frame Sheldon," Penny said.
"Yes, Leonard, you were corresponding with this saboteur for almost three months. I'm stunned you thought it was me," Sheldon said.
"Well, Sheldon, you can be kind of a dick at times... I figured that you'd reached your limit." Leonard replied dryly. He glared at Sheldon.
Sheldon felt a little hurt at Leonard's comment. But as of late, he was getting used to Leonard being nasty and kind of a bully towards him.
"Leonard... Sheldon isn't a dick. He's honest, he's got a massive ego... but he's a good guy." Penny quickly defended him.
Leonard looked between the two of them. He had an awful feeling welling up inside him. The green monster smashed it back down and he was already formulating his next plan of action.
Which was why, 45 minutes later, he found himself sitting on the couch, watching as Sheldon and Penny baked cookies... really?
Sheldon was casually leaning against the counter, watching as Penny used the rolling pin to roll out the sugar cookie dough. He had relinquished the power to Penny and all she had to do was ask sweetly.
Leonard was going to be sick. So he stood up and walked down the hall in a rush, slamming his bedroom door in the process.
The front door opened suddenly and Raj and Howard rushed in. They both froze upon seeing Sheldon and Penny's domestic cookie making situation. Penny and Sheldon froze, too, stunned to see their friends bursting in as they were being chased by some sort of hell hound.
"Oh, my god! She's going to bludgeon him with a rolling pin!" Raj yelled.
Sheldon and Penny jumped apart and watched confused as Howard and Raj went into a frenzied chaos of talking at the same time and moving quickly.
"Penny, we all know that Sheldon can be a pain, but killing him won't solve anything!" Howard said. "Raj showed me the emails and I can tell that they are shams!" Howard said as he slowly approached the kitchen, his hands up.
Penny narrowed her eyes at him, and then Sheldon gently took the rolling pin from her grasp. "She wasn't trying to hit me with it," Sheldon said, sounding annoyed.
Raj had his phone out as if he was ready to call the police.
"Yeah, we, um… we reconciled!" Penny said with a little nod. She looked at Sheldon, who had set the rolling pin down.
"Oh. Oh! Cookies!" Howard walked to the counter and sat on the stool. Raj followed suit.
"So Thanksgiving is on?" Raj asked. The last few moments of crazy seemingly forgotten by the two men.
Sheldon furrowed his brow, "what did you find out about the emails?"
"Well I hacked into Penny's email-" Howard paused when she shot him a glare, "-after Raj told me what had happened. Anyway, they're fake, 100%. I'm still digging to try and find out who made them though."
"Well, thank you, Howard," Sheldon said
Howard noticed a metal box and peaked inside of it. His eyes went wide. "Are these Star Trek cookie cutters?" he asked, flabbergasted. Raj looked as well.
Penny smiled fondly as she took the cookie cutters so she could cut the familiar shapes out of the dough.
The three man-boys watched her excitedly as she used a spatula to remove the first cookie and place it on the baking sheet.
"What's this I heard about Penny bludgeoning Sheldon to death?!" Leonard came rushing out of his room, glasses flailing off.
Four pair's eyes looked over from the kitchen and at him. He almost felt like he was being judged.
"Penny's making cookies!" Raj said happily.
Leonard watched as she finished placing the first round of cookies on the pan and how Sheldon helped her hold the tray and slide it into the oven. How she kept casting him small smiles and how he returned them. How Raj and Howard didn't seem to notice or care.
"Yeah, I was here," Leonard grumbled.
His four friends seemed to go back to paying attention to the cookies. Sheldon decided that since he had a captive audience, he would educate everyone on the origins of the cookie cutter.
Leonard turned and marched towards and then out the front door. He closed the door carefully. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hey, Amy… yeah, I wanted to talk to you. It's important."
A/N: Hey [arty people! Not a long note, but I wanted to thank Lizwontcry again for being my beta! Also I wanted to thank folks for liking my Shenny At The Movies fics. I have another one planned, so stayed tuned! Also I'll be having the group have thanksgiving dinner in the next chapter, Amy appears again, hijinks and chaos and hopefully it'll be funny! So I hope this chapter is good and you all enjoy it! Thanks again loves!
