Here we are, chapter eight already! Time flies by when you change the universe's time coordinates! Sorry about the wait on this one, school gets crazy around this time of year! As always, I really appreciate all of the favorites/follows/reviews I have gotten, as well as any that you have to spare on this chapter! A huge thank you to Stargazer2001 for checking for gramatical mistakes on each chapter I send, without any complaints! Hopefully I'll have a chapter nine to offer you soon, but in the meantime, enjoy chapter eight!
~L.J.
Chapter Eight
"I have to say, I never thought I would have fun in a train museum, but today was actually really nice. Thank you for another very nice date, Sheldon." Penny said as they approached their apartments.
Sheldon nodded at the smiling Penny, pleased that she had taken an interest in trains.
"I'm glad you enjoyed learning about trains. I told you the museum would be fun and informative. Well, goodnight, Penny. I'm sure I'll see you in our apartment by tomorrow morning." He said, his eyes searching her face momentarily before he turned towards his apartment.
"Wait a minute," Penny interjected, grabbing Sheldon's arm to stop him.
Sheldon turned around, first looking at Penny's hand on his arm, then at Penny's face questioningly.
"What are you doing?" She questioned, the smile fading from her face.
"I was returning to my apartment, prior to your outburst. Did you wish to receive an invitation?"
"No…Sheldon, have you ever dated before?"
"I went on a date with you last weekend. We attended the rodeo."
"No, I mean, have you ever dated another girl before?"
Sheldon hesitated. Leonard had led him to believe that lying to women was never a beneficial way to begin a relationship, but Sheldon intended to introduce Penny to Amy, who had no recollection of being in a relationship with him.
He was insufficient at lying, but he compromised with his morality, determining that he would give Amy a fake alias, so Penny would believe Sheldon's ex-girlfriend was a woman she did not know.
"Yes. Her name was Allie-Mae Reynoldson." Sheldon supplied, feeling his cheeks turn red.
Penny looked at him for a minute before nodding slowly.
"Allie-Mae?"
"She was back in Texas," Sheldon muttered.
"Right, well, did you ever kiss Allie-Mae?"
"I did, once or twice – oh." Sheldon mumbled, his eyes widening as he realized why Penny was suddenly bringing up his romantic history.
He had heard that kissing one's significant other after a date was an optional, though generally preferred, social convention.
His eyes flicked to Penny's lips.
They had a very slippery appearance, likely due to the excessive amount of lip gloss he had seen her apply prior to the car ride back to the apartment building. Neither of them had taken the liberty of using mouthwash in the past few hours, which made Sheldon even more uncomfortable.
Still, his goal was to make Penny happy, especially after she had been so pleasant at the train museum. If she felt it was necessary for him to kiss her before making his escape, he would have to at least attempt to kiss her.
"Look, sweetie, I don't want to put you outside of your comfort zone, but I just want to know if this is something we should continue, or if you need some time to work things out." Penny explained bluntly, staring Sheldon straight in the eyes.
Sheldon nodded, leaning in and touching his lips to her quickly.
He stared at her wide-eyed once he backed up.
The kiss had not been as unpleasant as his past ones were. Her lips were very soft, and for once, he was the one who had leaned in, initiating it himself.
A smile broke across Penny's face as she processed what had just happened.
Good, Sheldon thought to himself, pleased that he had made Penny happy, without risking too much at his own expense.
"Sheldon, I'm about to cut out of work early, do you want to go to the comic book store now?" Raj asked that Tuesday afternoon, entering Sheldon's office after knocking.
Sheldon looked up from his whiteboard and nodded. He was eager to get away from the work he had resolved years ago.
Once Raj trapped Sheldon in the car, he glanced at him, starting the conversation.
"So, I think I believe that you're from the future."
Sheldon sighed, ignoring Raj's ignorance to the complex details of his unique situation.
"I'm glad you finally came to your senses."
Raj nodded, guiding his car towards the comic book store.
"So, in the future, I get dumped by a girl, right after I figure out how to talk to women?"
"No, you get over your pathological shyness after your relationship is terminated by Lucy. Honestly, Rajesh, do you ever listen?"
Raj rolled his eyes.
"The point is: I end up alone?"
"In the universe I was in, yes, you were alone at the time of my departure."
Raj groaned loudly.
Sheldon jumped at the sudden noise, staring at Raj expectantly.
"So Howard gets married, and I'm alone? What about you and Leonard? Were you at least alone, as well?"
Sheldon paused.
"No."
Raj threw his head back, groaning even louder in frustration as he put the car into park.
Sheldon stared back at him, unsure of how to respond to the increasingly emotional astronomer.
"What is so unlovable about me? I wish I had a friend like me, I'm adorable! What's the point of even trying if I won't ever get a girlfriend? Maybe I should just give up." Raj whined, closing his eyes as his head rested on the back of his seat.
Sheldon took a minute to analyze the situation before responding.
"The 'future' that I am speaking of was created based off of the path you were currently on at this time. I believe I have caused you to become more self-aware during this brief car ride. You now know that you can speak to women with the assistance of alcohol, and you now know that your pathological shyness is something you can overcome, if you so choose."
Raj took a moment to let Sheldon's statement to sink in before continuing to whine.
"But even with all of that information, how am I supposed to find love? You said it yourself, I'm a tool when I'm drunk, and I don't know how to talk to women without alcohol yet!"
"You will learn. I have seen you overcome the consequences. Additionally, you may find a girlfriend, if you simply change the course you have currently set yourself on. Instead of looking for 'hook-ups' as Howard crudely refers to them, look for a woman who means something to you."
Raj's eyebrows furrowed.
"I can't believe I'm getting romance advice from Sheldon Cooper."
Sheldon's eyes narrowed, understanding the implications of Raj's comment.
"I am a genius, and currently, the only one of the group with a functional romantic pairing." He reminded Raj as they stepped out of the car and walked into the comic book store.
Stuart instantly looked up, hearing Sheldon's voice.
"Oh, yeah, how are you and Penny? Are you actually in a relationship?" Raj questioned, flipping through the Green Lantern comic books as Sheldon approached the collectibles.
He looked over at Raj, shrugging.
"We have not signed a relationship agreement. Leonard informed me that the third date is when the status of the relationship is determined."
"Well, when are you going on your third date?"
"I believe we will be watching a movie of Penny's choosing Friday evening."
"Are you going out, or staying in?"
"Penny informed me that we are staying in to watch what she refers to as "classics". I hardly think that's an accurate description, as there aren't any Star Trek or Star Wars movies included, but I chose the activity for the past two dates." Sheldon sighed, looking down at a Superman action figure.
"Oh, I love the classics, what are you watching?"
"One of them has to do with wind, I believe. Perhaps it's a documentary on weather."
"You mean Gone with the Wind?"
"Yes, have you heard of it?"
Raj laughed at the image of Sheldon watching a movie that romanticized the South during the Civil War era. While his profession was science, he was very knowledgeable about history. He would likely drive Penny crazy by the intermission.
Sheldon huffed after not getting an answer, turning back to the collectibles silently.
"Hey guys, I love seeing you every Tuesday! It gives me a nice break from the demanding customers, and I know I'm going to get great tips, right?" Penny teased as she approached the guys' table at the Cheesecake Factory, nudging Sheldon with the side of her hip playfully.
Sheldon scowled at her before looking at the menu.
"Hey Penny," Leonard chuckled, amused at how Penny could modify Sheldon's behavior so easily.
Raj whispered something in Howard's ear that caused him to laugh, which Penny ignored.
She quickly took down the boys' orders, and disappeared into the back, likely to make sure none of the chef's spit in Sheldon's difficult order.
"When are you going to ask her to be your girlfriend, Sheldon? Girls like that don't happen very often for guys like us. You may have bought clothes right out of her magazines, but you still have all that personality behind the clothes." Howard reminded Sheldon, who glanced down at his clothes before glowering back.
"I am aware of the ratio of women similar to Penny."
"I know you don't take his opinion seriously, but he is right, you know. I wish I had a chance with a girl like that. You should try to keep her at all costs." Leonard advised, peering over his thick-rimmed glasses at an exasperated Sheldon.
Sheldon snorted.
"Let up on him guys, it's his first girl. He's probably just nervous." Raj interjected, sympathizing for Sheldon.
Sheldon had lost interest in the conversation, and had begun to glance around the restaurant, until he saw exactly who he was looking for.
Bernadette was just a few tables over, smiling widely as she spoke to her customers.
Once the guys were finished eating, they began to collect their things, throwing generous tips on the table as they did so.
"You coming, Sheldon?" Leonard questioned, noticing that Sheldon had not put on his windbreaker.
Sheldon shook his head.
"I will go home with Penny. Good evening, gentlemen." He responded, barely glancing at them as he stalked off towards the bar, where Bernadette seemed to now be working.
Leonard and Howard immediately took off towards their cars, not arguing with having free time from Sheldon. Raj lingered behind momentarily, watching Sheldon approach Bernadette, before walking towards the parking lot with the guys, sighing.
"Hello." Sheldon said, sliding into one of the uncomfortable bar seats as he kept his focus on Bernadette.
"Hi."
He analyzed her curious facial expression, determining that she was either uncomfortable with speaking to him, or she was fearful of something.
Recalling her conservative history, he determined that she was likely uncomfortable with concept of speaking to a male over the bar counter. She likely anticipated amorous statements, or inappropriate suggestions.
"I am Dr. Sheldon Cooper. I would like whatever ethyl alcohol you recommend the most."
"Oh, are you that physicist at CalTech? I think I've read one of your journals." Bernadette commented as she rushed to prepare Sheldon's drink.
"Yes, I am a theoretical physicist at CalTech. Are you involved in science?" He questioned, understanding that he could not simply reveal he was aware of so much of Bernadette's life.
"I am, actually, I'm studying for my doctorate in microbiology. I'm just working here to pay off a few bills that get in my way until I start making big bucks." She responded, smiling down at Sheldon's drink.
"I see. Would you mind telling me about your dissertation? I have taken a mild interest in the inner-workings of the brain over the years," Sheldon commented, thinking back on all of the experiments and information he had gone through with Amy Farrah Fowler.
Bernadette willingly obliged as she handed Sheldon his drink, leaning closer to him as she spoke, barely addressing any other customers that sat down at the bar.
Penny couldn't help but notice Sheldon sitting at the bar talking to the new girl, Bernadette, as she strode between tables.
Sheldon had been refusing to drink for weeks, spelling out the evils of alcohol to her each time she took a sip of wine, and yet, there he was, nodding his head as he sipped his long island iced tea, seeming to hang on to every word that Bernadette spoke.
Penny grew increasingly insecure as Bernadette giggled, causing Sheldon to nod and stare down at his drink.
It made sense for Sheldon to speak to Bernadette; they were both really smart, and into science, in a way that Penny just could not understand. Bernadette was really pretty, in that cute, dainty way that a lot of boys really liked.
And, now that she was thinking about it, she had been a little bit sarcastic at the train museum. Sheldon hadn't seemed to mind at the time, but he could have been too embarrassed to scold her. He had been sharing something that meant a lot to him, she should have been more supportive.
Not to mention, she had practically forced him to kiss her. She had been able to gather enough information about Sheldon over the past few weeks to know that he wasn't particularly fond of physical contact. He had already been pushing himself to accommodate her, and she had still asked for more. She had been giddy after he had kissed her, but now she just felt sick to her stomach.
As time passed, Penny grew increasingly unhappy.
She was mad at Sheldon for moving to Bernadette so quickly, without even giving her a fair warning, and she was mad at herself for causing it.
Finally, after hours of slamming down plates, and being snide with the customers, it was finally the end of her shift.
As she walked past the bar, she heard Sheldon's voice behind her.
"Penny, I need a ride back to Los Robles."
Penny spun around, not bothering to conceal her anger.
"Why didn't you just leave when the rest of the guys did?"
Sheldon looked down at his shoes.
"I wanted to speak to you further."
"It seemed like you were happy enough talking to Bernadette."
Sheldon looked up, nodding a little too vigorously.
"Yes, she is quite interesting. I was asking her if she would like to double date with us. I believe she and Howard would be an acceptable pair."
Penny raised her eyebrows.
Sheldon was just crazy enough to try to set someone like Howard up with a girl he knew, but it could have just as easily been an excuse for the unusual amount of attention he paid to Bernadette.
"You want to set Howard up with Bernadette?" She questioned, placing her hands on her hips as she stood outside the restaurant, staring Sheldon down.
He nodded.
"Yes, I believe that Bernadette's good nature and conservative background will cause Howard to grow out of his currently offensive personality. From what I have gathered, they both live with their parents, allowing for a common ground to start off of. They can then branch out to discuss the lesser sciences they are a part of." He explained, confused at Penny's facial expression.
"So you think that setting Howard up with a girl will make him less perverted?"
"Ideally, yes."
"And you're telling me that you saw Bernadette working at the bar, thought 'hey, let me set her up with Howard' immediately?"
"No, I originally wished to wait for you to complete your required work hours."
Penny raised a single eyebrow.
"And waiting required drinking an entire long island iced tea?"
"Social convention dictates that sitting at a bar requires a purchase of some sort."
Penny rolled her eyes as Sheldon stared at her in clear confusion.
"Oh, sweetie, do you even know what's in long island iced tea?" She questioned, unable to help smiling.
Sheldon's eyebrows furrowed.
"Is it not simply imported tea?"
Penny laughed, taking his arm and guiding him towards her car.
He trudged next to her, moving slowly, as if walking was something new to him.
"Let's just get you home. I know Leonard is going to have a fun time struggling with you tonight." She giggled.
Knock knock knock. "Penny."
Knock knock knock. "Penny."
Knock knock knock. "Penny."
Penny opened the door to her apartment, grinning from ear to ear at the lanky physicist standing at her door.
"Hey there Tex, have you recovered from your night of fun yet?"
Sheldon glowered at her.
"Yes, my brain has returned to its original condition."
"That's good. I wouldn't want you to be lying on my floor with a hangover while I got to watch all of the fun movies. You know, alcohol isn't very good for your liver. Not to mention, it…how did you say it…dulls the mind?" She teased, ruffling his hair before skipping over to the couch, where movies were piled on the cluttered coffee table.
"Good Lord, I had better call Mr. Denophrio," Sheldon mumbled to himself before following Penny over to the couch.
He sat down, eying her warily, making sure the appropriate distance was between them.
"Okay, so we're going to start out with Gone with the Wind, then I thought we would sink back into Pride and Prejudice. I think you'll like Mr. Darcy." She smiled, scooting closer to him on the couch.
Sheldon nodded, slightly distracted by the scent of Penny's vanilla shampoo.
She leaned against him lightly; not enough force was applied to be considered uncomfortable or threatening, she had made sure of that.
He stared down at her curiously, unsure of whether to scowl or smile.
She was close to him. She was very close to him, as a matter of fact. He could count each hair follicle on her head, which he would likely resort to out of boredom, judging from the pictures on the movie covers. Theoretically, he should not have liked such close proximities with anyone, aside from his family on very rare occasions. It went against every rule he had created, and every judgment he had made.
Yet, there she was, and there he was, lounging comfortably on the couch. He enjoyed the warmth of her body against the side of his, he enjoyed her soft, yet distinct scent, and he enjoyed that she shared this level of intimacy with him, as opposed to any other male suitors she could have entertained.
Despite himself, Sheldon felt the corners of his mouth twitching into his koala smile.
"Sheldon got hammered last night." Leonard laughed as Howard and Raj stared at him in shock.
"You mean, with alcohol?" Raj clarified in disbelief.
"Yeah, Penny brought him back at like, midnight, and said the bartender had given him a long island iced tea. She dumped him on me, and then he started rambling about time travel, and how he knew about another universe. I think he's seen Back to the Future a little too much in the past few weeks."
Raj's eyes grew wider as Howard and Leonard laughed.
"I don't know if Sheldon being drunk would be terrifying or hilarious. With him, there's such a fine line between the two." Howard mumbled, smirking.
Leonard chuckled in agreement, while Raj forced himself to laugh.
"So where is the raging alcoholic now? I'd like to have some payback for every time he showed me a picture of a failed liver." Howard questioned, craning his neck to get a glimpse of Sheldon walking around the apartment.
"He's at Penny's. They're watching movies tonight, the poor bastard. Before he left, he was writing a relationship agreement, though. I think they might be getting serious." Leonard said, pushing his glasses up as the subject shifted to a serious topic.
Raj and Howard both exhaled deeply in surprise.
"He's getting drunk and hooking up with hot girls? When did Sheldon Cooper become cooler than us?" Raj whined.
Leonard and Howard both shook their heads, equally baffled by the situation.
"I guess Penny had a bigger effect on him than I thought she would. I'm not complaining, though."
Howard laughed, shaking his head again.
"All you were doing was complaining! Why are you suddenly so okay with Sheldon and Penny?"
Leonard shrugged.
"I guess she's doing more good for him than she would for me. Besides, she kind of scares me. She can be really mean, did you know that?"
"Yeah," Howard sighed, the smirk returning to his face.
"I never thought I would see the day Sheldon Cooper had a girlfriend. Especially not while the rest of us were still single." Raj groaned.
"Maybe he can hook us up." Howard muttered.
"Maybe Penny can hook us up." Leonard corrected him.
Later that evening, Leonard heard the apartment door slam.
"Hey buddy, how was your night? Do you have a new girlfriend?" He teased, seeing Sheldon scoot into the apartment.
Sheldon looked at Leonard, slightly startled, but regained his composure.
"I presented Penny with the option of signing a relationship agreement, yes."
"What did she say?"
"She said she would have to think about it. I suppose there were a lot of difficult words for someone of her intellectual caliber to decipher. Well, goodnight, Leonard." Sheldon murmured, shuffling towards his room as Leonard stared at him in confusion.
Usually Sheldon would be chattering non-stop upon arriving from a date with Penny. He liked to tell Leonard all about the locations he went, the activities they engaged in, constantly asking whether he followed the correct social protocol. Sheldon frequently asked questions about the next date, and the time table for progressing in a relationship.
It was obvious that Sheldon's pride had been wounded by Penny's hesitant answer.
Leonard sighed, walking across the hall to Penny's apartment.
He looked down at the ground as he knocked on the door once, to let her know that Sheldon was nowhere in the proximity.
"Hey Leonard, what's up?" Penny questioned in confusion, after answering the door.
"Listen, we need to talk."
"Oh, no, are you breaking up with me?" Penny teased, letting Leonard into her apartment.
Leonard fidgeted with his fingers, eventually glancing up at her.
"I know that Sheldon asked you to be his girlfriend, in his own special kind of way."
"Oh…yeah,"
"You should just know that he's…different. This is the first time I've ever seen him make any attempts at dating. He doesn't put things on the line very often, so he's not used to rejection. He's really sticking his neck under the blade for you."
Penny gulped.
"I kind of figured that. He tried to make up some story about dating a girl named Allie-Mae."
Leonard's eyebrows furrowed before he responded.
"Yeah, well, try to go easy on him. He's not the same as most of the guys you've dated. He doesn't know what games are, in reference to emotions, and he doesn't know how to put his guard up."
Penny nodded.
"What I'm trying to say is: Sheldon is trying. He's really, really trying for you, and he's not protecting himself in the process. Please don't take advantage of that. I don't want to see him get hurt."
"Believe me, Leonard, hurting Sheldon is the last thing I want to do." Penny whispered.
