When she picks up the other line Penny's expecting it to be her sister, calling from some motel after leaving her husband or some other family drama like that. But no, it's just Christi, her brother's ex. She's invited herself out to stay before Penny even realizes what's happening. It's a tiny little apartment, and there's barely enough room for just Penny. But just a week later there Christi is, already out staying her welcome and too cheap to do her laundry in actual machines like a normal person.

Penny can't stand listening to her babble on and on about her last boyfriend who was so rich and awesome, but oh, married, and who obviously dropped her the second she started getting too clingy.

She wishes she could go hide with Ellie, but she conveniently went to visit her mom before Penny could get any good Raj related gossip. And, of course, there hasn't been any information forthcoming from him either. It's like a cliffhanger on a show right before they go on hiatus. Just plain cruel!

So instead screaming at Christi to just leave already, she makes some excuse and flees across the hall.

According to Sheldon, it's only five minutes flat from Penny mentioning Christi and her unmentionables to Howard and Christi alone in her apartment with gross cheesy music playing. She knew Christi had low standards, but Howard?!

When that game that Sheldon bought is mentioned it sounds like a perfect way to let out her frustration. Sheldon has another opinion, "Penny, this is a complex battle simulation with a steep learning curve, there are myriad weapons, vehicles and strategies to master, not to mention an extremely intricate back-story. This notion of you playing is, well sucky at best."

She responds by shooting him in the head. Twice. That shuts him up pretty quickly, and by the time they're done it still hasn't gotten old, mainly because she finds new and interesting ways to kill him every time. He was not wrong about the vast variety of weapons.

It's not until later when she's still awake, trying to sleep on their couch after freaking out about hearing the door open that she realizes that Sheldon called her attractive. Then it's not the fear that keeps her awake, it's the curiosity about if he meant attractive in general, or attractive to him. ~

She wakes up the next morning to the sound of the Doctor Who opening credits, and Sheldon perched precariously on the armrest above her head.

"Sheldon! What the hell?" she can't help but yelling, although it comes out much quieter and hoarse then expected.

"I see, or rather, heard you never saw a doctor as I recommended," he says before taking a bite of cereal.

"What?"

"You were snoring, now please vacate my spot, it's time for Doctor Who."

"I don't snore," she mutters, before raising her voice, "I'll move if you pour me a bowl of cereal too. Something sugary!"

He raises an eyebrow at the first, but sets down his bowl and does as she asks. She doesn't move over very far, but he has enough room to sit down when he brings over the breakfast she requested. Once again she gets sucked into the TV he's watching, and she wonders how many episodes this show has, because Firefly was far too short.

When Leonard comes out twenty minutes later he seems surprised that Sheldon's happily explaining the season's previous important plot points, and that she is totally into it.

Unfortunately Howard shows up shortly after that wearing her short pink robe, and completely ruins the rest of Doctor Who morning. ~

She's so pleased to alone in her apartment again, that she tries not to worry about the damage Christi could be inflicting on Howard. She rationalizes that she did warn him so it's not on her.

Ellie called earlier, she's back in town and they decide to go out dancing to celebrate. Leonard and Sheldon stop by before she leaves trying to get her to play Halo with them again, but this is her first chance to get Eloise all liquored up so she'll finally spill what happened after the party. There's no way she's letting this opportunity pass her by.

Thirty minutes later Penny is knocking on Ellie's door.

"Pen! Hi!" they hug and shriek like its been years. "I'm ready, you look hot, let's get with the walking."

On the short trip from apartment to club Eloise fills Penny in on the work related changes. "Doug's already been put on probation, and they hired some kick ass waitresses for the bottle service section. Kayla and Denise, they're off tonight too since its a weeknight so I invited them out with us."

"Okay, oooh, can we set up in the bottle service section like VIPs if it's closed tonight anyways?"

"Yes, yes we can." ~

The four of them dance, and dance. It's a quiet night for the club, but the music's still loud and there's still enough guys around trying to pay for drinks. Penny's had just enough drinks to get lost in the music and have a great time with it. When Ellie pulls her back to the table she's sweaty and giddy and hoping it's spillage time. Instead she gets asked about Sheldon.

"What? What do you mean, what about Sheldon?"

Kayla and Denise were already at the table, stuck in the back looking like they might scare off the next guy who approaches them.

Ellie tilts her head and says, "I'm not sure, but you've mentioned him a lot tonight."

"So? What about you and Raj, all this time and I've gotten nothing."

"Alright, alright. He's cute, and the sex was good from what little I remember, but it was weird, and I have no idea what's happening next. I'm sorry I'm vague, the whole thing feels vague."

Penny laughs, "Those guys, they're so strange, I just don't get it!"

Denise looks terribly confused and asks who they're talking about.

"The guys that live across from me, and their friends. All nerdy, but sweet in their own way... I think. Anyway, but they're so strange, I bet if we went over there and said we were there to sex them up they wouldn't even notice because it's Halo night."

Kayla says, "What?! I look totally hot tonight, I don't care how nerdy they are, this dress has earned me a grand worth of tips in just one night. So bring it on, what are your terms?"

Penny considers, "Ellie, call a cab. Mmm Terms, let's keep it simple, how about $1000 to the winner, inspired by your dress."

Ellie has her ear to the phone but still leans over to ask, "Do you have that much?"

"Sure, in my emergency fund." Ellie doesn't look too pleased about that. But Kayla and Penny shake on it anyways. The cab arrives and they all pile into it.

Outside 4A Penny checks her keyring for the spare key as she asks,"Ready?"

They all agree, she unlocks the door and they all step in. Penny clears her throat and says,"Hi guys, my friends and I got tired of dancing, so we came over to have sex with you."

The boys all continue to play. Ellie even gets to see Raj talk as he hasn't noticed them at all. After the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, they file out and close the door behind them.

Kayla is shocked and let's out a loud, "Damn it!" A few seconds later it's as though she remembers she can just wear that dress Saturday and calmly says, "I'll pay you Sunday."

Author note: it was pointed out that I skipped over a specific scene, I was going to explain why, but I've decided I'll save any answers for the end. If there's something you want answered, feel free to ask, but keep in mind- it'll be awhile.