Chapter 10

Apartment 4A

Leonard was in deep shit. And the person responsible for that was across the hall from him. How could she do it? Sure, they were not great friends anymore but she got him suspended! And that too for Sheldon! Life was a fucking mess, and he couldn't take it anymore. He got up and went to his neighbour.

Apartment 4B

She heard the knocks and silently prayed that that it was Sheldon. Not hearing his trademark knock she whined and opened the door.

"What do you want, Leonard?"

"You reported me to Gablehauser! What the fuck Penny!"

"The arctic shit had to come out at some point anyways. I just sped up the process" she winked.

"Not again! Sheldon didn't report it! But you… You bitch! You have no authority in this. If he has no problem with it, why the hell are you intervening? "

"Fuck you! You sabotaged his experiment! You can't get away with it. And he is my friend! Friends defend each other!"

"He was my best friend until you came along! And now he gets the tenure while I am suspended! You are nothing but a stupid waitress who is hell bent on making my life hell."

"Are you done, yet? Because, I am not taking this shit anymore."

"And what's the deal with Sheldon? How could you take his side? What do you see in him that I don't have? You are wasting your time on that guy."

"Shut up Leonard! You don't even know the extent of our friendship!"

"In case you don't know, he is asexual! He will never be interested in you! I was always interested in you, yet you overlooked me and chose that guy!"

"Asexual my ass! He came to me asking me out on a date! And he is twice the man you will ever be! And I am sure that we will be in a relationship very soon. He just needs some time to recover from the shit you pulled on him."

"Oh! So you think he is interested in you? You are so delusional penny. Can't you see why he moved out from here and is living across the hall from Alex's apartment?"

Penny Froze. "How do you know where he lives?"

"I had some grads hack the university server to get the personal information. Don't you see it penny? He chose Alex over you! Asexual he may be, but he prefers Alex's companionship over yours!"

"Fuck you Leonard! He moved out because he couldn't stand the sight of you anymore. And quite frankly even I am disgusted by you. You are nothing but a jealous piece of shit who doesn't know anything about friendship!"

"Oh Penny. So you don't know? He is taking Alex with him to CERN, Switzerland. You and Sheldon were never meant to be. You got me suspended for nothing!"

"What! He is taking Alex with him! You're bluffing! I know it."

"Well, why don't you ask him instead?"

"Maybe I will. Now get the fuck out of my apartment and never show me your face again! And I hope you enjoy your fucking suspension!"

Leonard stomped out and slammed the door of his apartment.

Penny was shocked. Was Leonard really bluffing? If he wasn't, then how could Sheldon do this? He was taking Alex with him to Switzerland? She was in tears and decided that it was time to act. This was her one and only chance to convince Sheldon otherwise and she stormed off to Sheldon's apartment.

Sheldon's Apartment

Penny reached the third floor and saw the door of Sheldon's apartment open. She peeked and saw him and Alex making god knows what in the kitchen and laughing about it. Her blood boiled. To hell with everything, she went in and shouted.

"What the hell is going on!"

"Penny! Perfect timing! Cookies?" Alex smiled.

"To hell with your fucking cookies! Leave! I need to speak to Sheldon. Alone."

Alex practically ran out of the apartment. Penny rested her eyes on Sheldon who was very confused.

"What's going on penny? Why were you so rude to Alex?" Sheldon asked sternly.

"You told me that you were just friends with her! Am I correct?"

"Yes, obviously!"

"Then what was going on there? Baking cookies! Cracking jokes! Why!"

"Penny? Can't friends bake cookies together? Why are you so insecure? You know that I am only interested in you as far as a romantic relationship goes. When the time comes, of course."

"Sheldon, it's not about the cookies. It's about you and Alex going to Switzerland. Together."

"Who told you?"

"Not important. Explain to me Sheldon? Don't you think I would become angry when the guy I adore so much is taking some other girl to fucking Switzerland!"

"Oh. I didn't see it that way penny. I chose Alex because she has been so hardworking these past few months. I thought that she deserved it. Also, a visiting physicist to CERN would look very well on her resume. My invitation to Alex was purely academic centric, penny. I am sorry if I hurt you."

"You sure? That it was just academic?"

"Yes! You don't trust me? I like you Penny for God's sake! Only You."

"Oh God! Now I feel even worse. How could I not trust you! Fucking Leonard! I am so sorry Sheldon. And Alex! Oh God…I have been so rude."

Alex who like any other normal person had been listening in on the door opened the door.

"Penny, I am so sorry if I misled you. Trust me, Sheldon likes you a great deal too. In the university too, he talks about only you during lunch. So…we good?"

"We're good. And I am so sorry about everything. I got insecure."

"I don't blame you."

"But, Sheldon this still doesn't solve my problems."

"What do you mean?"

"When will you go out with me? It's been 4 months now Sheldon. I am starting to lose it now."

"You are correct. It's unfair to you. I feel I am ready."

"Does that mean…"

"Yes penny. Will you go out with me?"

There it was. The moment she was waiting for. She was at a loss of words. So she improvised.

She grabbed Sheldon by his collar, pulled him towards her, snaked her other hand over his neck and attacked his mouth. Sheldon was taken aback by this sudden charge, but he kissed her back, with every fibre in his body. The kiss was perfect and penny didn't care if Alex was gaping at them right now. She wanted to enjoy her first kiss with Sheldon and that she did!

"I have been dreaming about this for so long" penny said hugging Sheldon.

"Me too, penny. Me too. One more thing though. Can we do that again?" He smirked.

Alex quietly exited the apartment as she witnessed yet another battle of tongues.

Few Minutes Later

"So…"

"Now I know what I have been missing out on" Sheldon was breathless now.

"We can always make up for lost time, sweetie." Penny smirked.

"Penny! We haven't even gone out on our first date!"

"Doesn't matter. By the way, where have you decided to take me. First dates have to be special, Sheldon and I have a lot of expectations" She giggled.

"Oh I have decided. And it's special alright."

"Tell me!"

"Well, how would you like to spend our first date in Switzerland?"

Penny was ecstatic. She just kissed him in return.

"I guess that was a yes?"

"You're the best, you know that right, Sheldon?"

"Don't quote the obvious penny" Sheldon laughed and they both started making out.

Next up – Epilogue

Author – So there you go. Finally, we are here. I apologize if you find it too cheesy or dramatic, but as I mentioned, this is my first fanfiction. I know that I can only improve from here on. I have more Sheldon/Penny stories to write. Perhaps later, as I would take a break after this story. A Beautiful Mind isn't over yet. That's right. I have an EPILOGUE planned out. Do check that out as I probe the future of shenny. It's not yet over guys. Just one more to go. I really want to thank everyone who have reviewed or followed. It's been amazing to hear from you. Please keep reviewing and watch out for the epilogue. Adios!