Tomorrow was Monday. Sheldon looked at his watch. Actually, today was Monday. It was just after midnight. He should really get to bed. But Penny was home now. Bernadette and Anya had shown up around 1 pm and everyone had sort of just hung out all day, catching Penny up on what they had been doing for the last 4 weeks. Anya and Raj had finally called it a night around 10 pm. Bernadette and Howard were saying their own goodbyes now. Leonard was sitting in the armchair, head back, glasses crooked, and snoring.

Sheldon moved to stand behind Penny as the couple finally stepped out into the hall and waved bye. As soon as the door was shut, Sheldon grabbed Penny's hand and dragged her back to his room. Penny followed without word, although he could tell she was curious. Once in his room he pulled a large box from under his bed and picked it up.

"Your mail," he said softly. "I'll carry it for you."

Penny nodded and led the way back out and across the hall. Sheldon placed the box on her dining table and hesitated. He turned to face Penny and immediately, she was hugging him again. Sheldon drew in the subtle scent of her lotion and smiled.

"I missed you," Penny said.

He hugged her tighter. "I missed you too." Sheldon smirked at her. "There was no one to annoy me."

Penny pulled back and smacked his chest lightly. "Hey! Be nice, or you won't get your present!"

Sheldon looked at Penny sternly. "Penny, I do not like receiving or giving presents. It's a pointless activity. Let's say you buy me a present for $50. Then I am forced to waste valuable time going out and purchasing you a present worth $50. Now, we could eliminate one step and just exchange $50 bills, until one of …."

Penny placed a hand over his mouth. "Sheldon, you are my best friend. I didn't spend any money on this. I just want you to have it. Okay?"

After a moment Sheldon nodded and she removed her hand. She opened one suitcase and came back out with a box. Penny handed Sheldon the box and smiled. "These were my grandfathers. When I told mom about you guys, she gave them to me. She thought you might like them."

Sheldon opened the box and gasped. He set the box on the table and pulled out the comics inside. Tales To Astonish #80-#101 rested in his hands. Each one was in near mint condition. Sheldon looked at Penny, who was smiling.

"Penny, these are very valuable. #101 alone is worth two hundred dollars. You cannot just give me these!" Sheldon was staggered by the gesture.

She laughed lightly. "Sure I can. I don't see the point in them sitting in my mom's attic, waiting on a squirrel to come along and use them as a nest when I have a friend who loves comics, and will treasure them and take care of them. Also, if it makes you feel any better, I know what they are worth. So does my mom. She still thought giving them to you was a good idea." Penny looked at Sheldon slyly. "Of course, if you really don't want them, I could always give them to Wil. He likes comics, too."

Sheldon clutched the books to his chest and grimaced. "As if I would allow you to do that!"

Penny grinned and patted his arm. "Okay, sweetie. Now, you have to work tomorrow and I'm exhausted. Go get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow when you get home."

Sheldon nodded and placed the comic books back in the box. He picked it up and headed to the door. On impulse he paused beside Penny and bent to hug her tight. "I am glad you are home." Then he hurried out the door.

Penny shook her head with a soft laugh. He really was the sweetest guy sometimes.


Penny looked up as Sheldon knocked his usual knock on her open door jab. She shook her head wryly and smiled. "Sheldon, you know I'm home. You also know you are always welcome here. You don't have to knock when you can clearly see me sitting here."

Sheldon quirked an eyebrow at her. "It is only polite. No one just barges into someone's home."

"Except me," she laughed.

"Except you," he agreed. "Penny, my sister showed up at work unexpectedly. I thought you might like to meet her."

Penny set her sketch pad down and stood. She looked around Sheldon at the empty hallway. "I don't suppose her name is Drop Dead Fred, is it?"

Sheldon frowned and shook his head. "Her name is Melissa. Most people call her Missy."

Penny smiled widely and shook her head. "Joke, sweetie. Just a joke."

"I don't get it," Sheldon said with a confused tone.

Penny patted his arm. "I know. So, where's this sister of yours?"

Sheldon looked toward the stairwell. "She was just behind me."

A few seconds later they heard Leonard's voice as he explained all about the new laser he was working on. A couple of seconds after that they appeared around the corner. Sheldon turned to Penny to begin the introductions but froze. Penny was wide eyed and her mouth was slightly open. He watched as Penny's tongue dart out to wet her lips.

Sheldon's stomach turned sour as he read the signs of attraction in Penny. He turned and saw Missy smiling at Penny. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He could only watch in dismay as Penny stepped forward and held out her hand to his sister.

"Hello. I'm Penny," she said breathlessly.

Missy shook her hand and smiled softly. "Hey. I'm Missy, Shelly Bean's sister. I've heard a lot about you."

Penny grinned mischievously. "That's hardly fair. It's only right that I get to learn about you, too. Are you hungry? I know a great little bistro nearby if you would like to join me."

Missy's eyes widened and she looked at Penny speculatively. "Actually, that sounds interesting. I'd love to."

Penny blushed lightly and licked her lips. "Let me just grab my purse and we'll go."

Moments later, Sheldon and Leonard stood in the empty hall wondering what the hell just happened.