Trapped in a cold basement room, Sheldon and Penny share body heat. Desire erupts between them.
(The Big Reveal)
He wasn't sure if it was the sound of the door or the clicking of a camera which woke him up. His first clear thoughts were that his legs were asleep, there was a weight on his chest, and he could smell vanilla. He had the vague idea he should open his eyes, but the weight on his chest was soft and warm. He wrapped his arms more securely around Penny and buried his face in her neck.
Penny mumbled near his ear and he smiled against her skin. She fidgeted a bit and once again mumbled his name. He was almost completely awake now, and the tip of his tongue peeked out to flick against her pulse. Penny shifted and hugged him tightly.
Once again he heard that clicking sound. He frowned and blinked a couple of times before looked up. He was sure he must still be asleep. No way was this real. Penny looked over her shoulder and gasped. Her head slowly shook and she raised up off Sheldon's lap.
"You?" Penny asked in a level voice. "All this time it was the two of you?"
Sheldon stood up on pins and needles and clenched his fists. "I suspected it was one of our friends. I never suspected this," he said angrily.
Leonard blushed and Leslie Winkle smirked as she lowered the camera. She placed a hand on her hip and shrugged. "That's because you're a dumba…"
Everyone gasped as Penny's fist connected with Leslie's mouth, knocking the brunette against the wall. She spun to glare at Leonard. "You bastards! Do you have any idea what you did to me? To Sheldon? You …you …" Penny's words failed her and tears poured down her face."I have been sick to my stomach! I couldn't sleep, even after the landlord put in that new dead bolt because I was so scared! This wasn't some funny little prank war, Leonard! You terrorized me and Sheldon! You tortured us!" Tears poured from Penny's eyes.
"How could you do that to him?" she asked in a weak voice. She shoved past Leonard and ran down the hall.
Leonard turned to Sheldon and caught a fist in his own mouth. Leonard slumped against the open door in shock. He could taste blood on his tongue. Sheldon towered over him. He had never seen his roommate in such a rage.
"Do you realize what you put Penny through?" Sheldon demanded through clenched teeth. "Do you understand what you did to her? You terrified her! She has lived in fear for the last week! How could you?"
Leonard sighed as he sat down beside Leslie and wiped the blood from her lip. "We were trying to get you two together. You two were never going to take that step on your own. We thought that if we got you two to band together you would realize that you cared about each other. We thought that if Penny could see you being concerned for her, and if you could see how much Penny needed you, that you two would finally realize you love one another. We were trying to help.""
Leslie probed Leonard's rapidly swelling lip carefully. "You should be thanking us," she said with a smirk. She looked up knowingly. "Especially since it worked."
Sheldon's furious glare made the couple cringe. "Thank you? For frightening Penny? For giving her no other option but to turn to me? You took her peace of mind from her! You took her choice from her." Sheldon shook his head. "None of this was real, Leonard. And your little stunt may have just ruined the friendship that existed between Penny and I." Sheldon stepped over Leonard's outstretched leg and walked away.
He sighed and leaned his head against her door. He had knocked several times but she hadn't answered. Sheldon's stomach churned at the thought that she was inside regretting what had happened between them. He wandered into his apartment and made his way back to his bedroom. He needed to grab a change of clothes and take a shower. Then he would try again. He opened his door and stilled. Penny was standing in front of his window, looking out at the city.
"All my life I've had to be tough," she said softly. "My dad pushed me to be a tomboy. My brother was always in trouble and I was the one he relied on to help him out of his scrapes. My sister is sweet and feminine and she always relied on me to keep her shielded. My mom depended on me to be self reliant. Moving here, Kurt was reckless and always flying by the seat of his pants. I had to be the one who kept the bills paid, to keep him on time for work, to send his friends packing when the beer was gone. I'm not perfect. I've never claimed to be. I can barely keep a roof over my head, but I'm doing it. I work hard and I do my best."
Penny turned to face him and Sheldon saw something in her eyes that eased the tension inside him. Hope flowed through his veins as he gazed into her warm hazel eyes.
Penny licked her lips nervously. "For the past week, I have felt lost and alone. Except when I was with you. In all the time we have known each other, you have always been there for me. Even when I made you mad, or irritated. You have never abandoned me. You make me stand, but you let me lean on you. You make me try, but you are always there to catch me. I don't know if what happened last night was real for you. But it was for me. I …," Penny took a deep breath. "I love you, Sheldon. I have for a long time. So, please, do you think you can take a chance on me? On this?"
Sheldon walked around the bed and stopped in front of Penny. "You love me?" he asked softly.
Penny nodded, a silent plea in her eyes.
Sheldon threaded his fingers in her hair swiftly and pulled her into his arms. His lips crashed down onto hers hungrily. "I thought you would hate me," he murmured against her lips. "I knocked and knocked on your door but you didn't answer." Sheldon held her as tightly as possible and felt her thudding heartbeat against his chest. Penny clutched at his shoulders and moaned softly. They kissed deeply, almost forgetting to breathe. Finally they parted slightly, gasping for air.
Sheldon sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He reached out and took Penny's hands in his. He drew her down onto his lap. He reached up and cupped her jaw. He gently kissed her and she relaxed against him. "You realize we are going to have to deal with Leonard and Winkle gloating, right?"
Penny smirked. "If they get too bad, I'll pop Leonard, too. He deserves it."
Sheldon blushed slightly with embarrassment. "I already hit him."
Penny's jaw dropped. "You hit Leonard? With your fist?" Sheldon nodded and Penny grabbed his wrist. She looked at the red knuckles and placed a light kiss on each one. "My hero," she whispered.
Sheldon blushed and kissed her again. "Don't heroes usually get a reward?"
Penny grinned and slipped from his lap. She reached out and caressed the his jawline. "Yes. Yes, they do."
Sheldon's eyes darkened as he watched her pull her top over her head. While she unbuckled his chinos, he reached for her shorts. Maybe Leonard and Winkle would get that thank you after all. His mind flashed on Penny's tears earlier. Then again, maybe they wouldn't.