New Years Day (January 1st)

Leonard watched Sheldon as he fidgeted in his spot. He looked around the apartment carefully, but there wasn't a single thing out of place. No cups, streamers, or even a speck of confetti from last night's party. So why was Sheldon looking so nervy? He was almost afraid to ask, knowing that it was something completely insane and delusional. A door opened and closed and then Penny wandered into view. She walked to the bathroom and seconds later the shower started.

Leonard smiled internally, amazed at how much those two suited each other. Two years ago, he would never have believed that Sheldon and Penny would not only be dating, but also be good for each other.

"Leonard?"

He looked over, concerned by the scared tone of Sheldon's voice. He looked at the small box in Sheldon's hand and jumped up. Slowly Leonard walked over to the couch. "Sheldon, is that an engagement ring?"

Sheldon nodded, staring at it. "What if she says no?" he asked timidly.

Suddenly it made sense to Leonard. All the nervous ticks, the way Sheldon kept fidgeting, why he wasn't watching Doctor Who. "Sheldon, Penny loves you. She's told you so. This isn't like me and her. We weren't meant to be. You and Penny are different. In fact I was just thinking how good you two are together. Ask her. I think you'll like her answer."

Sheldon closed the lid on the box and sighed. "I have never felt so unsettled, Leonard. I usually have an almost exact idea of the outcome of any situation, except when it comes to her. I can never anticipate her. I can never predict how she will react."

Leonard grinned down at his roommate and friend. Sheldon had spent his whole life with plans and routines. Penny was the very antithesis of all that structure. Her chaotic personality was subtly changing Sheldon into a more flexible person, and his orderly ways were slowly turning Penny into a more grounded person.

"Buddy, no one can predict a woman. Not even another woman. Ask her, Sheldon. Now, I'm going to go down to the store on the corner. I'll stay gone an hour. Good luck." Leonard grabbed his coat, hearing the shower cut off as he made his way to the door.

"Leonard?" Sheldon looked at him as he stood up to wait for Penny. "Thank you."

Leonard nodded and walked out the door. When he reached the lobby, he dialed Priya's number. "Guess what!"

Xxx

Penny stepped into the kitchen and smiled over her shoulder at Sheldon. "Good morning, sweetie. Why didn't you wake me when you got up?"

Sheldon moved toward her, his hands behind his back. "I decided to let you sleep in this morning while I spoke to Leonard."

Penny frowned at him. "You two aren't arguing about the new Hulk movie again, are you?"

Sheldon shook his head. "No. I would like to say something."

Penny poured herself a cup of coffee. "Then it must be about which super hero group is more well rounded."

Sheldon shook his head. "Of course not. It's obvious that the Justice Society was the most well rounded. In fact, anyone who has done even the slightest research into…" Sheldon paused and groaned. "Penny, please stop distracting me! I need to speak with you."

Penny's eyebrows rose as she looked at him. "Sounds like something I'm not going to like. Whenever you get that fidgety look, it's always something we're going to fight about. "

Sheldon glared. "I do not have a 'fidgety' look."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Sweetie, you are the king of the fidgety look."

Sheldon crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, maybe I wouldn't look so 'fidgety' if you weren't so intent on antagonizing me."

Penny opened her mouth to retort but her eyes landed on the small box clasped in Sheldon's hand. She slowly set her coffee cup down and stepped closer to Sheldon. He blushed as her eyes moved up his face.

"Sheldon," her voice was tentative and soft. "What is that?"

Sheldon licked his lips nervously. "This is what I wanted to speak to you about," he said cautiously. "Penny, I love you. I intend for you and I to spend the remainder of our natural lives with one another. To that end, I am hopeful that you will acquiesce to becoming legally bound to me."

Penny quickly translated his words mentally. "Did you just ask me to marry you?"

Sheldon looked at her hopefully. "Will you marry me?"

Penny was silent for several seconds.

Priya, Leonard, Amy and Bernadette put their ears to the door to 4A and listened carefully. They couldn't hear any noise at all, so Priya poked Leonard in the ribs and pointed to the doorknob.

Leonard slowly turned it and eased the door open, but motioned Bernadette forward to look. Bernadette peered around the edge and frowned. She pushed the door open fully and walked inside. The others followed her in, only to stop short when they saw Sheldon sitting in his spot. He was staring at the small jewelry box on the coffee table.

Leonard took a step closer hesitantly. "Sheldon? Where's Penny?"

Sheldon didn't answer, just continued to stare at the box.

Amy walked over and sat down beside him, but got no reaction. She reached out and lightly touched Sheldon's sleeve. He jumped slightly and looked up in surprise.

"Oh. Hello, Amy. What brings you here?" he asked hollowly.

Amy looked at the others in horror. "Sheldon, what happened? Did you ask Penny to marry you?"

Sheldon looked down at the floor and nodded once.

Leonard walked over, Priya and Bernadette right behind him. "Oh lord! Sheldon are you okay? I'm sorry, buddy. I was sure she would say yes!"

Sheldon looked up. "Bazinga. She did." He grinned widely at his friends as they stared at him in disbelief.

Bernadette smacked his arm hard. "You jerk! We thought…! How could you scare us like that?!"

The front door opened and Penny stepped inside with a bakery box. She tilted her head quizzically. "Bernadette, is there a reason you're attacking my fiancée?"

Priya turned to Penny with exasperation. "Sheldon made us believe you had said no! All for one of his stupid jokes!"

"Oh," Penny said as she walked to the kitchen table. "Well, just don't kill him." She pulled a bear claw from the box and sat down. "And don't mark up his face. We're skyping with his Meemaw in an hour."

Sheldon bolted from the couch and rushed over to stand behind Penny. "As my future wife, shouldn't you be protecting me?"

Penny leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Never tease women about an engagement, sweetie. It tends to piss them off."

Sheldon huffed and reached for a cinnamon bun. "I thought it was funny," he muttered.

Leonard smirked. "In that case, try it on your mom. I dare you."

Penny quirked an eyebrow. "Did you miss the part where I asked you not to get him killed?"

The others laughed while Sheldon just pouted.

A/N Nope. I'm not going to tell you what Penny's ring looks like. The last time I did, many said "Oh, I always thought she's have a ring like ..." or "I always imagined Sheldon would want to get a ring like ..." so, this way, you can imagine whatever ring you like, and everyone wins. :D