A/N Thank you to Warriorcreed for the excellent review. You make some excellent points which I will try to address as we go forward. Whether I will do that satisfactorily is probably another question.
I still own nothing.
Penny had to smile when she saw the big smile on Leonard's face when he saw it was her.
"Hi, Penny. Come on in." He turned toward Sheldon, who was sitting in his spot. "Sheldon, it's Penny."
"I can see that. It is amazing, Penny, how you always manage to arrive at supper time."
Penny realized he was right. Since Celarians normally ate only once every three days, she realized she would need to get used to the idea of Humans eating two or three meals a day. She would never be able to do that on a regular basis but would have to pretend to do so.
Leonard quickly spoke up, "I am sure that is not why she came over."
He turned to Penny, "But he's right, I was just going out to get Pizza, do you want to eat with us?"
When they had gone over foods, Pizza was one of the foods that intrigued her. "Sure. Can I have Pepperoni?"
Sheldon broke in again, "Really, Penny, plain old Pepperoni. Couldn't you try a little imagination?"
Leonard again rushed to her defense, "A lot of people just eat Pepperoni."
He turned to her, "I'll be right back."
As he went out the door, she went over and sat down next to Sheldon. Wondering if she should mention it, but deciding it was obvious and she had looked at the whiteboard before, she said, "I see you erased the Whiteboard. Did you finish your project?"
She wished she hadn't said anything when she saw the quick pain on his face. "Yes, I did." Then he perked up, "But I have a new idea that is even more exciting."
"That's good." Deciding to change the subject, "So what are you watching?"
"It is a documentary on bees."
Penny had kind of hoped it would be some of the entertainment they had gone over but said, "That sounds interesting."
Sheldon looked over at her. He was surprised that he was pleased she had come over. He was a little nervous for Leonard, because he knew he was undoubtedly going to end up being disappointed. This woman was not going to have coitus with him, but there was something about her. It was apparent she was not overly intelligent but he still couldn't avoid the idea she was more than she appeared to be.
Internally shaking his head, wondering what she was doing to him, he turned back to watching the TV.
Leonard put the Pizza on the seat beside him and started the car. His thoughts immediately went to Penny. He was a little amazed at how happy he had been to see her. Oh, part of it was because how beautiful she was. He shook his head ruefully, there was no way someone like her would be interested in him. She would soon be dating tall, good-looking men. But there was something more. There was something about her, something that made him want to be around her, something that made him enjoy being with her.
Whatever it was, he just knew he wanted to get to know her, to spend time with her. He sighed, he just loved having her around.
Penny was surprised how good it was to be back with these two guys although she hardly knew them. She had to smirk to herself, she actually knew a lot about them.
But she realized that didn't explain why she felt that way. She knew she was deeply impressed by Sheldon's intellect. She also found herself intrigued by how he was. Under that condescending façade, she sensed there was a sweetness in him, something almost childlike. She wished she had gone back further in his mind, to see how he had grown up.
And then there was Leonard. She smiled as she remembered how he had fantasied about them. She also remembered how passionate they had been. But she had also sensed there was something about Leonard too. There was a sense of a feeling of insecurity. She knew he was deeply intelligent as well, but just had the feeling he had somehow been hurt somewhere in his lifetime that continued to affect him.
After Leonard had returned and everyone was fortified with a beverage, he hesitantly said her Pizza had cost $10.50.
Penny was caught off guard. She still had to get used to the idea of paying cash for something. The Republic had long since moved past the idea of currency. She also realized she had not been given more money, planning to go to the bank.
"I am a little short, could I pay you later?"
"Of course. In fact, let's make it my treat."
She thanked him sensing that it wasn't exactly a proper thing to do.
At the same time, she sensed it made him happy.
She quickly discovered something else, Pizza was something that Earth had going for it.
Sheldon and Leonard looked on in amazement and a little amusement as Penny devoured her Pizza. Leonard assumed she had not eaten because she was short of money. He decided then and there he would see to it she ate with them until she got on her feet.
While she had been eating, Penny realized she had another important task to do and maybe they could help her with it.
When everything had been cleaned up, Penny started, "I need to get a car. Mine was broke down and I sold it before I left Nebraska. Could one of you go with me? I really could use some help."
She went on, "I really don't have a lot of money to spend."
Leonard quickly spoke up, "I would be glad to help out. I do have some experience in dealing with car salesmen."
Sheldon added, "I must admit Leonard has often been able to negotiate for a better deal. He saved us $40 on a sword we purchased."
Penny smiled, "Great. When can you go?"
"Tomorrow is Saturday. I have to go in for a while in the morning. How about tomorrow afternoon? Say one o'clock?"
"Okay." She hesitated, "I guess I better start looking for a job too. Do you guys have any ideas?"
Sheldon asked, "What kind of experience do you have?"
"None really."
Sheldon sighed. Then he said, "Leonard, wasn't there a notice at the Cheesecake Factory that they were looking for waitresses?"
Leonard quickly said, "We go there once a week to eat. I doubt if it pays much but you could try it. At least you would be making money while you could look for something better."
At first Penny found herself a little angry that they would suggest something like that, but then she remembered who she was pretending to be. "That sounds like a good idea. I'll go there in the morning."
After Penny got the address of the Factory, they talked for a while before Penny bid them goodnight, telling Leonard she would see him at one the next day.
