Chapter 30
Thanks so much for the amazing reviews. You guys are so supportive, it asstounds me everytime I get a review. I just wanted to address something 2 or 3 of you mentioned and that was the fact that the guys - namely, Howard and Raj, didnt pick up on what the cause for Sheldon's good mood was. It has been my intention from day 1 that Raj and Howard will find out long before Leonard does, as they will be really useful to Sheldon, in helping him decode his feelings, however I personally needed to give Penny and Sheldon one chapter, where no one knew their secret.
Raj parked his car down the block and began the short walk back to 2311 North Los Robles. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and thought about Sheldon's strange behaviour, last Saturday night. After he had left the apartment and they had began the frantic search for an alien pod and came up with nothing, they began to exhaust every other possible explanation. Thetheories ranged from, brain washing to, tripping into an alternate universe through a worm hole. Raj tried to think of a trigger - a catalyst - that had occured in recent weeks, to suddenly change Sheldon's patented neurotic behaviour. He drew a blank, until he recalled the horrible Penny incident that happened over a month ago. He remebered that, that was the last day Sheldon seemed normal, well normal for Sheldon. Raj and Howard often worried that Sheldon had told Penny that they'd blabbed her secret and in the immidiate days that followed, they nervously waited for Penny to unleash her wrath upon them - thankfully it never came.
As he approached the front of the buliding, he pondered whether Sheldon had given any thought to what they had told him and if he'd considered being more than just Penny's friend. He sighed dreamily, a hint of exhuastion coloring the sound, as he hoped Sheldon would take the risk, since it was obvious Penny would.
Raj pushed the door to the lobby open and began to climb the stairs, gently humming Single Ladies to himself. He rounded the corner to the second floor and made to start for the third, when hushed voices coming from the floor above had him pausing, shamelessly listening in on the conversation. "...But it's pizza night, not laundry night. Saturday night is laundry night. You should know this by now." The voice said. Raj immidiatly recognized it as Sheldons.
"Sweetie, I know it's pizza night and I'll be there, but I want to spend a little time with you." That was definatly Penny's voice. Raj took a step up, hoping to hear their conversation better. "But it's not laundry nig-" Sheldon began in protest, before Penny cut him off.
"You don't even have to do laundry. Just, umm... bring your stuff down, stay as long as a cycle would take and then go back upstairs. Yeah, that'll work!" Penny said, sounding excited and a little proud of her idea. Raj strained closer, a deep frown forming on his brow. Why did Penny want to see Sheldon in the laundry room and why were they having secret meetings on the third floor?
"What if someone asks, if I enjoyed doing laundry? You know I can't lie Penny." Sheldon said and Raj could picture the look of condesention on his face, as he looked down at Penny. There was a deep sigh of what could only be frustration. "Well you've done pretty well at lying so far and anyway, why would anyone ask you that?" Penny said incredulously "I haven't been lying. No one has asked me anything regarding our agreement, so there has been no need to fabricate the truth - I've simply not been placed in a situation where the truth could be revealed. But back to our original conundrum - what if someone asks?" Sheldon asked quickly. What truth? What's going on here? Raj desperatly thought. "I'll bring my laundry down and you can help me do it, that way if someone asks, you dont have to lie." There was a long heavy silence.
"Please Sheldon? I've hardly seen you since last Saturday. Please?" Penny pleaded and Raj imagined she had sad, puppy dog eyes and a pouty lower lip, as she tried to persuide Sheldon to deviate from his strict schedule. "Fine, but just this once. Dont get used it." Sheldon conceded, his voice thick with defeat. Raj shuffled a step closer as tinkling laughter filtered down the stairs. "That was quick, I thought I'd have to do a little more convincing. Why'd you change your mind?" Penny said teasingly, maybe even flirtingly.
"Yes well, you are my girlfriend and as I recall, you said being in a relationship means making compromises. I... believe i can do that." Sheldon said tightly. Raj's eyes widened to the size of saucers and he practically fell backwards down the stairs. Penny is Shledon's girlfriend?! He pressed himself against the wall, trying to become one with it, the conversation carrying on upstairs. Raj could not belive what he had just heard. Sheldon and Penny are a couple! He let an excited giggle slip past his lips and flung his hand up to his mouth and held his breath, as he waited to see if they'd heard him.
How could they not have told them? Raj felt a little hurt that they'd kept such a huge secret from them all and he wondered why they had done it. There was silence from above and Raj slid along the wall slowly. "Penny? Are you going to kiss me again?" Sheldon asked nervously. Raj's mouth fell open sharply. "Does that mean you want me to?" Penny asked sounding, suddenly as unsure as Sheldon did. "I-I-I wouldn't be... apposed to it. However, as I asked last time, I would appriciate it if you would warn me before you do it again." Sheldon stutteted out. How long had this been going on? Raj mused. "I promise I'll warn you if I want to kiss you, okay?"
"I suppose. We should return to our apartments and convene in mine shortly, as to avoid suspision..." The conversation became more distant, as they headed up the stairs and out of ear shot, leaving Raj flabberghasted. What in the name of cow, had just happened? Raj seriously questioned if, he'd just slipped into a coma and dreamt the whole mess of craziness, that had unfolded before him. He was stuck on the step he was standing on, willing his feat to move, but they just wouldn't. Once he finally had regained control of his body, he started to climb the stairs again. On the way up to 4A, he contemplated all the ways he could confront them about what he heard. He considered several options, but the one that stood out most, was simply announcing it in front of everyone, so the group could share in their happiness, but they'd obviously gone to great lengths to keep it from everyone, for how ever long they'd been together and Raj found himself wondering why. At the door to 4A, leonard's voice rang clearly from inside and it instantly became very clear, why they'd kept it to themsleves. Leonard.
Sheldon was slightly disgruntled at having to change his schedule, to satisfy Penny's female whiles, but Penny had insisted stating she had missed him, despite seeing him every day, with the rest of the group. Despite his own logic and as painful as it was to admit to himself, Sheldon found that he too, missed the time he spent with Penny. "Don't order anything for me okay? Priya's taking me to a party at work." Leonard called, snapping Sheldon's attention back to his laptop where he was ordering the pizza's. Sheldon felt his face warm slightly, as if he'd just been caught doing something, he shouldnt be. The door opeend and Raj strolled in, shooting an overly happy smile in his direction.
"Hello." Sheldon said, disinterestedly.
"Hello Sheldon. Had a pleasant evening?"
"Can't complain." Sheldon replied, slightly suspicious of his friend. He stood up from his desk and moved to his spot on the couch and located the DVD they were all watching tonight and placed it in Leonards seat. Raj sat down next to him and Sheldon was about to make him move when Raj spoke. "So, is Penny coming over tonight?"
"It's pizza night. She normally joins us, does she not?" Sheldon asked with a raised eyebrow. Raj was almost vibrating next to him and practically ignored everything Howard said, only nodding or giving a half hearted chuckle when he made some sort of joke. The pizza arrived and moments later Penny burst into the apartment. "Ooo, I knew I smelt pizza." she said, seemingly proud of her advanced sense of smell, when it came take out. Sheldon shook his head in tired amusement.
"Hey" Penny said, her eyes meeting his with a mischievious glint, making Sheldon's stomach flutter with apprehension and excitement. Raj caught his attention, as he was looking frantically between the two of them and Sheldon let the smile that had formed on his face, drop into a slight scowl. Raj dropped his head after realizing he'd been caught, but the smile he wore, didnt diminsh in size or intensity. Penny stood awkwardly at the end of the table, looking pointendly at her spot and the empty arm chair. "Oh, I'm in your seat aren't I?" Raj asked, with a hint of something that sheldon couldn't quiet identify.
"So where's Bernadette?I thought she was coming tonight." Penny asked as she set her empty plate down, brushing her arm agaisnt Sheldon's leg, making him tense up in his seat. He found that since his kiss with Penny last week, everytime she would casually touch him, his insides seemingly coiled tightly. Not in discomfort or apprehension, but in anticipation of what she might do and sheldon wasn't competely sure if that excited him or terrified him. He had no doubt that on some level, Penny knew exactly waht she was doing, as a small smile would grace her lips, whenever he reacted in such a way.
"She's in quarantine again. Her team was working with another string of Raccoon virus and one of the techs dropped a sample. She's fine, it's just a precaution." Howard explained and Sheldon shuddered deeply, feeling the need to shower - thorougly. The evening continued pleasently enough, until Penny covertly grasped his hand in hers and gave a squeeze. "Well guys it's been fun, but i gotta go. See you soon." She announced loudly and let go of his hand. As she grasped the door handle, she turned and gave Sheldon a pointed look. He briefly shook his head, telling her that he couldn't do it. Penny's eyes sadened and sheldon instantly felt guilty. Begrudingly he nodded his head and Penny perked up and pulled the door shut. Sheldon frowned harshly, at having given into Penny so quickly.
"Well how do I look?" Leonard asked as he stood at the foot of the step, dressed in his chordaroy suit. "Depends, where are you going?" Raj asked.
"I'm going out with Priy-" Raj cut Leonard off sharply. "I'm just going to stop you there. I dont want to hear about it." Raj said defiantly.
"Dont be like that Raj. You should be happy for your sister and your friend."
Sheldon sucked in a deep breath and as he tried to do, what he was about to do, convincingly. "Well, I have laundry that needs to be taken care of. The store was out of my regular detergent and if this one isn't upto par, I'll need time to correct it." Sheldon commented, convieniently keeping his head turned away from his compainions, as he shuffled to collect his laundry.
Once both Sheldon and Leonard had left the apartment, Raj pounced. "Dude, we have to go!" He explained desperatly, bursting with happiness. "Oh you're talking to me now?" Howard complained, taking a long drink from his beer bottle. "Im sorry, but we need to leave right now." Raj said standing up, trying to pull a reluctant Howard along with him. "Why? What the hell is going on?" Howard asked. "I can't explain, just follow me. Hurry" Raj beamed, pushing a bewildered Howard toward the door.
A timid cough made Penny turn around, from loading her machine. Sheldon stood in the door way, basket clutched at his hip and Penny couldn't help but smile at the thought, he'd gone through all this trouble, just so she could spend a few minuets alone with him. "May I assist you, with your laundry?" Sheldon asked, placing his basket down on the table. "I just started the wash. Why don't we just talk? I'll even help you fold your clothes." Penny offered, knowing that they had to keep up the pretense, that Sheldon had done his laundry. "I'll fold and you may talk. I am only in possesion of one board and your folding capabilities are appaling. Not to mention your brawny Nebraskan man hands, might break it and then how would I fold my laundry?" Sheldon asked in disbeilive. "I dont have man hands!" Penny responded defiantly. "Jerk" she muttered under her breath and lifted herself onto the dryer behind her. She watched his long hands delicatly, but purposfully fold his clothes and she found herself, unconsciously biting in her lip.
"So how have you been?" Penny asked, swinging her legs, her heels bouncing against the machine. "Well, i've been what i am, in the implied time period." Sheldon replied. Oh he could never make it easy could he, Penny thought. Although if he made everything easy, he wouldnt be Sheldon. "No, I mean... never mind. I missed you." Penny said, her voice sounding small.
"How could you miss me? We've seen each other everyday." Sheldon retorted. Penny dropped her head forward and sighed . "I know that genius. Ive missed spending time with you - just you. I always have to keep my distance, when we're with the others. Did you miss me?" Penny asked, allowing herself to sound a little vulnerable. "As I said, we've seen each other everyday." Penny felt a wave of disapointment, until she saw a slight twitch in Sheldon's right cheek. Again Penny smiled brightly and went back to watching him work, loving the comfort that such a domestic task, brought her. "Sheldon?" she called, pulling his attention to her "Can I kiss you now?" she asked shyly, hating how ridiculous the words sounded out loud. Sheldon held up the green thermal he was folding. "I'm busy Penny." he said as he continued folding.
Penny chuckled, knowing it would never be that easy to get sheldon to come to her, but she was determined he would come to her. Baby steps, she reminded herself. "Please Sheldon? I warned you, like you asked and I'll let you choose where we go on our next date." Penny sighed, knowing she'd most likely end up at some lecture... best case scenario, Sheldon would pick Legoland. "Fine." Sheldon breathed, dropping the socks he was folding. He approached her quickly and stopped in front of her. He bent quickly and kissed her, before straingtening up and taking a slight step back. Penny reached for his hand and pulled him back to her, until he was standing between her legs.
"Penny" He warned. She searched his eyes for something that would tell her, he really didnt wat her to carry on, but his eyes were bright and trusting. Penny wrapped an arm around his shoulders, forcing his head down to her level. She pressed her lips gently to his and waited, hoping he would take the lead and start the kiss again. Penny didnt have to wait long, before he was timidly moving his lips, still just as softly as the first time, but with more confidnece in his actions. Penny grinned into the kiss and brought her hand up to craddle the back of his neck, her fingers raking through his baby soft hair. Penny pulled him flush against her, desperatly trying to get as close to him as their bodies would allow, urging Sheldon to continue. Penny was sure she could spend hours just kissing Sheldon. As a hot puff of air hit her cheek, Penny's lips left Sheldon's of their own accord and began a sensual trail across his sharp jaw and down his long neck, ghosting her lips over his pale skin. She hesitated when a sharp gasp, followed by a low, almost shy moan left Sheldon's lips and he seemingly unconsciously leaned futher into her. As Penny began making her way back up to his lips, she allowed her eyes to open and found Sheldon's hands harshly clasping the edge of the dryer, on either side of her thighs. Quickly dropping one of her hands to his, she loosened his death grip on the machine and placed his hand on her hip. She shuddered as his thumb ran over the strip of exposed skin between her shirt and jeans, causing a soft moan to leave her own lips. Acting purely on instinct and desire, Penny trailed her tongue across his full bottom lip. He pulled out of the kiss and looked down at her, warning her... daring her to continue. She pulled his lips back down to her level and touched her tongue to his deliciously full lip, sighing with delight when he hesitantly parted his lips, allowing her access to his mouth.
Raj thundered down the stairs ahead of Howard, stopping on the second floor, to make sure Howard was keeping up with him.
"Dude! Come on."Raj said impatiently, as he came into view.
"Raj, what's the hurry? What is going on?" Was Howard's tired reply. He'd long gotten used to his friends odd behaviour, but every once in a while, he would do something that would make him seriously question, if something was wrong with him. Like now.
"Seriously, I can't tell you, you won't believe me. Just trust me." Raj answered, jumping up and down and beginning to pull Howard along at his pace. When they reached the lobby Raj slowed and continued on past the main door and around the corner. The laundry room? "Raj where are we going?" Howard asked, allowing his irritation to show now. He spun around with a finger on his lips, telling him to be quiet. Howard sighed in defeat and walked closer to the door, where Raj was already standing, an extatic look plastered to his face. Raj pointed inside and Howard took the final step, to whatever it was that had Raj, acting like a crazy person.
"Wha-!" Howard began quietly, the word dying on his lips,at the sight that was before him. There in the laundry room, were Sheldon and Penny, making out like a couple of teenagers - Penny's arms locked tightly around Sheldon's neck, as he stood in between her legs, his hands frantically clutching at the fabric of her shirt, thumbs sweeping across her hip bones. Howard felt his mouth fall open like a trap door and he turned his head to look at Raj, who now had tears rolling down his cheeks. Howard forceablly shut his mouth and returned his attention to the couple in front of him, who apparently had no idea, that they now had an audience.
"What the frak?!" Howard said outloud. Their two friends sprung apart instantly, as if they'd been electricuted, suddenly realizing they had been caught. There was a deep blush staining both of thier cheeks.
"You two... wha-. How did this happen? You have some serious explaining to do, my friends." Howard said, a bewildered, yet amused smile tugging at his lips. There was no way they could lie their way out of this.
So there we go, they've been caught. It was only a matter of time really. Howard and Raj will be so helpful, to both Penny and Sheldon and it was really important to me, that they find out, kind of early on. Leonard is definatly going to be out of the loop for a while, as he's distracted with Priya and I personally feel that he's very good at just dropping his friends when a better opportunity comes along. I'm slowly trying to heat things up between Sheldon and Penny, although once things get started, i'm thinking it could all happen a lot quicker than maybe you, or this Penny and Sheldon would think. Love you all and continue to enjoy!
Ps sorry this took so long to upload, but between scans on my arm and horrendous problems with my laptop, its been difficult to find time to sit and write.
