CH. 10 - "I swear that boy, is full of surprises."

A/N: Okay two things, one, here's CH. 10. Two, i gave Penny's mother a name and made them farmers (I mean what else do you picture when you hear 'Nebraska'), so therefore it may seem cliche or incorrect since I have no idea what "morning chores" are, since I'm a city boy. But as always read, review and enjoy.

March 21st. Normally it has no significance, usually just another day of the week, except in Penny and Sheldon's universe, it marked one full week until the Powell dinner. And again that wouldn't be anything to write home about except, when it is also the day Sheldon disappears.

In the month and a half leading up to the dinner, a lot had happened, she's permanently subbing for a 3rd grade teacher who went on maternity leave and hadn't had time to spend with Sheldon, not that Sheldon had time to spare anyway. He was busy researching a a new string theory hypothesis. He'd been working late, staying up well past his bedtime, showed little interest in comics right now and to her disappointment even less in her. If she was less trusting of Sheldon she would have sworn he was seeing someone else.

But now this happened. It was about 6:30 AM that morning, when Penny received the news. She got up early that morning to finish a lesson plan to make science fun, and for someone whose boyfriend is a theoretical physicist she wasn't having any luck, and saw the irony in it. When she heard a knock.

"Coming," she sighed as headed for the door, partially thankful for a distraction.

It was Leonard.

"Hey Leonard, what's up?"

Surprised Leonard asked, "Why are you up so early?" Remembering Sheldon telling him about Penny's "Don't Knock Before 11" rule.

"Huh? You knocked on my door, remember?"

He blushed, "Oh yeah, anyway, Penny is Sheldon with you?"

"No, I saw him last night before my Teacher's Social, though. Why?"

He rubs the back of his neck, "I don't know how to say this."

Penny's face began to pale. "Leonard, seriously what happened?"

"Umm Penny, Sheldon's missing."

Sheldon's missing. Two words that Penny never wanted to hear. Tears began to well, but she pushed them back, now wasn't the time.

"What?! Are you sure?"

"Well, he didn't come home last night, so I figured he was spending the night at your place, and even he does he always comes back at 6 to get ready for work, and you and I know Sheldon is never late for anything."

She took a deep breath, "Okay, but that doesn't mean he's missing he might be at the university, he has been working on that new hypothesis of his."

"I called Howard to go and check and he says his office is locked."

"Have you tried is phone?"

"He's not answering or it's turned off or something."

"Or something?!" Penny yelled "My boyfriend is missing and that is the best you can come up with?"

"Penny, calm down. This is Sheldon we're talking about; he doesn't go to the bathroom without figuring out how much time between trips to and from the bathroom. He doesn't drive and hates flying so he couldn't have gone far."

Penny take another deep breath, "You're right, I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"It's okay, I know you didn't mean to."

"Have you filed a missing person's report?"

"No, I don't think it's something we need to involve the police in."

"Are you sure this is Sheldon, we're talking about."

"I can't report one until 24 hours have passed anyway, and I'm sure he's safe somewhere."

"I hope so," she looked down, a silence hovered above them in the hallway. After a few minutes Penny grabbed her keys and phone and closed her door and was at the top step when Leonard stopped her.

"Where are you going?" Leonard asked.

"To look for him. I can't stand idly by and do nothing."

"Don't you have a class to teach?"

"I don't care, if I lose my job here I can find another one somewhere else or I can go back to the Cheesecake Factory. Right now, Sheldon is my number one priority."

"Penny... don't. Don't go look for him blindly, I'm sure he's fine, besides this job is important to you, don't throw it away. You were really excited to be a teacher. No guy is worth throwing that away, as much as it pains me to say it."

"But Sheldon..." Penny drew out saddened.

"Is fine," Leonard finished for her.

"Okay," Penny sighed, "I won't look for him, but could you?"

Leonard saw the pain in her eyes, so he relented, "All right, for you."

Penny smiled for the first time that morning, "Thanks, you want some coffee?"

(***)

Two men were working in the early morning sun, one in his mid- to late-50s with graying hair with a tall average build. The other in his late-20s, with a buzz cut and an athletic build. The older man was in typical farm worker attire, Jeans, a plaid over shirt and work boots. The other seemed out of place in this environment, in a dress shirt, khakis and loafers, yet still here he was carrying a bundle of wood and wielding an ax.

"Tell me son, why are doing this?" Asked the older man.

"Well, I asked you for your daughter's hand in marriage, and you refused, so I figure this would be be adequate to prove to you that I'm more than capable in taking care of your daughter."

The older man chuckled, but continued to work along side his younger co-worker.

An hour pasts and while neither has said a word, they have almost completed the morning's chores, when a woman comes out on to the porch carrying a tray of lemonade. She smiles at the sight.

"Wyatt! Come in for some drinks, hon. And tell that young'un to come with you," she calls out.

"Barbara's calling, let's go Sheldon."

"Mr. Lincoln, you go ahead I'm going finish this wood bundle first. Please, I insist."

Wyatt shakes his head while smiling, but heads in first.

"Why isn't Sheldon comin' in?"

"The boy's trying to prove something to me, I guess."

"Why didn't you just say 'yes' to his request? Of all of Penny's old boyfriend's he's the smartest, most mature, kind, and from looking at him swing that ax, the strongest. Isn't that the kind of boy you always want for Penny? And besides, of all of them, none of them his made her this happy and certainly none of them have asked permission for this sort of thing."

Wyatt ponders his wife's words while looking at Sheldon looking at Sheldon, chopping and bundling wood. "Hmm..."

"Come now, Wyatt he's better for Penny than anyone by far. What other boy would fly six hours in the middle of the night to ask your permission to marry your daughter? And even after you reject him, his helping you out in the field. Any other boy would've cursed you and left screamin'."

"Heh, now that you say that, I swear that boy, is full of surprises. What do you think I should do, Barb?"

"Say yes. Besides you're not gettin' any younger, wouldn't you like to be able to play with your grandchildren while you still can."

"I'm still a strapping man, my gray hair just shows my experiences, that's all," playfully taking offense.

"Whatever you say, hun," she says smiling.

As Wyatt takes a sip, Sheldon comes up the walk.

"Sheldon have a seat, son," Wyatt offers.

"Thank you."

"Son, I've been thinking about your proposal and I'm willing to reconsider, but you need to answer my questions truthfully or else no deal."

"That seems fair," Sheldon says as he takes a sip of lemonade.

"First, why do you want to marry my daughter?"

"Because she makes me a better man and I love her."

"Why do you think you have what it takes to call yourself Penny's husband?"

"Honestly, I don't, I may know and teach about the wonders of the universe, but Penny is still very much a mystery to me. She challenges me on level no has dared to; she loves me despite my social inadequacies; she makes me feel as if I may solve every mystery the universe may present, but never ever solve her."

"Then why marry her? If you don't know the person, I believe that is the last thing you should do."

"Because for all I don't know about her, the things that I do, amplify the world around me. Because for what I know about her, her likes, dislike, wants, needs and quirks, it makes me slow down to appreciate and understand why she likes it, hates it, wants it or need it. Simply put, by learning about what makes her happy I'm able to live my life to the fullest."

"What do you mean, you're only 29, what do you mean 'live life to the fullest'?" Wyatt counters.

"Yes, I'm only 29, but I missed out on a lot due my advanced intellect. Penny may have mentioned that I went to college at 10, well because of that I never had a chance to grow up, so I tend to believe in the innocence of the things around me instead of acting pragmatically. Penny's presence balances it out. Essentially she is the yin to my yang, if you please."

"So you're saying, Penny balances you out and that is your reason to marry her?"

"One of the reasons, yes."

"What are the others?" Barbara joins in.

"Well, ever since I saw Penny cry over her break-up with Leonard, I swore that I will do whatever it take to keep from crying over a relationship. She's told me relationships are hard for her, so I promised that as long as I'm with her it'll be one less worry for her. I want her to be happy and I feel as if I provide that."

Wyatt sat listening to Sheldon answer his questions, they weren't simple 'yes' 'no' answers, they were heartfelt and certainly showed that he was not only ready to marry his daughter, but has thought it out fully.

"All right, Sheldon you've convinced me. I give you my blessing," Wyatt smiles offering a hand which Sheldon gladly shook.

"Mine too," Barbara says.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lincoln."

"I have one question, though Mr. Lincoln. Why did you refuse me initially?"

"First off, it's either 'Wyatt' or 'Dad' from here on in or else. And I said no to you because, while you are the first one to come this far, Penny is still my little girl and until I can see that a man has what it takes, I won't give up my little girl."

Sheldon smiles, "I see."

(***)

The day seemed to slow to a crawl for Penny since hearing the news of Sheldon's disappearance. She texted Leonard 12 times throughout for updates. And she wasn't in any form to carry out her lesson plan so she made today an art and video day.

When school let out, she began searching for him herself at the usual spots as well as the lesser spots, like the zoo and aquarium. But all to no avail.

She returned to her apartment late, microwaved herself some leftovers, watched some TV, showered and went to bed, sobbing herself into a restless sleep.

(***)

It was 2 AM when Sheldon finally got back, he knew he more than likely worried everyone, especially Penny, but if all goes according to plan here on in it'll be worth it.

He used the extra key and silently entered Penny's apartment. Standing over her sleeping form clutching his Flash t-shirt, he smiles.

"Penny, Penny, Penny," he whispers and gently shakes her.

When he hears her groan, he smiles again. He repeats his actions, until she opens her eyes slightly, "Sheldon...?," she groans before fully opening her eyes, and wrapping her arms around him.

"Sheldon, I've been so worried," she cries into his shoulder. When she finally pulls away, she admonishes, "Where have you been?"

Sheldon smiles, "Nebraska."

"Nebraska?"

"That's right, Nebraska."

"How did you get to Nebraska? Where did you get new clothes?"

"I took a red-eye flight there and another back. And I keep an emergency kit at the office."

"Oh okay... why?" She was completely gone.

"I had something to ask your Dad."

"My Dad?"

"Yes."

"And what would that be?"

"If he'd give me his blessing."

"His blessing for what?" Penny asks trying to clear more cobwebs away and trying to focus.

Sheldon smiles as he gets down on one knee.

"Oh my God..." Penny clasps her hand over her mouth.

"Penny, over a year ago, I told you 'eventually', I believe that 'eventually' is now. There's is no one I could picture spending the rest of my life with; you make me question things I don't normally, you love me unconditionally how, I don't know but I'm forever yours because of it. Now if you'll say the same I'll be the happiest man on Earth. Penny, will you marry me?"

During his entire speech, Penny let the water works flow.

"Yes, Sheldon, yes I will marry you," she said through a clasped hand.

Sheldon smiles and proceeds to put the modest engagement ring on her hand along with a kiss.

As he gets up, he heads toward the door, "Get some sleep, it's late."

"Won't you stay with me?" She pouts.

Another smile, "Of course."

He takes off his shoes, pants and dress shirt until he's in just his under shirt and boxers and heads back toward the bed as she scoots over.

Once they're settled, with her head resting on his chest and her arm around his abdomen she whispers half-asleep, "Thanks for coming back, I love you."

"I love you too, Penny," he replies as he gently combs through her hair as sleep starts to claim him.