Sheldon said he'd planned a surprise outing for them that weekend and she should dress up formally
Getting ready. She's fresh out of the shower in just a towel
Rummaging through her piled clothes on the floor and chairs she gets a little thrill, as going out is fun, and getting all dressed up is exciting even if it is just with Sheldon.
She finishes towelling off then looks in the mirror, posing as she looks herself over critically. Good legs, nice curve on her hip, waist still pretty trim, breasts full and perky. She cups them for a moment, feeling her nipples harden as she strokes them with her fingertips. It's been too long since they've had any fun apart from a late night twist when she's been feeling lonely and horny. She sighs. Even Leonard was better than nothing.
She's shaved her legs and arm pits, even trimmed her bikini line to a neat little strip. Not like Sheldon would know or care, but knowing she looks good always makes her feel good.
She winks at her reflection.
Hell, why not spoil herself and break out the good stuff. From the bottom of a drawer she tugs a box, an impulse purchase that cost far too much for a very small amount of lace.
She's been saving it for a special occasion partly out of guilt
The thong is a dreamy wisp of black lace with red details that fits her snugly as a second skin.
The bra was professionally fitted and makes her already impressive breasts defy all the laws of physics
Looking in the mirror she admires herself, standing on tip toe, turning and pouting.
Oh, you won't know what you're missing , Mr ever oblivious Dr Cooper but I'm aiming to turn heads tonight
Grins
In fact... she unhooks the bra and rummages in her closet. what about that backless dress?
He's getting ready. it's the first time he's tried all his new formal wear out at once and he finds it pleasing how the pieces have been made to fit together and complement each other
long straight leg dress pants, so dark they're near black, neat black leather belt with an elegantly slim silver buckle, not the usual huge Texas steers head thing but he'll manage.
Suit pants have belt loops that are narrower than jeans.
plain white shirt, crisp and pressed with a matching white cotton undershirt.
A bow tie would be too formal and is often viewed as an eccentricity if no one else is wearing one , so he knots his new dark red tie, chosen to compliment the brighter red of the suit lining.
A tie should match the width of the jacket lapels
new knowledge is a fascinating thing. He remembered the colour wheel he'd studied, the colours that complemented and contrasted.
pocket square? white, of course. A pale ivory to be subtly different to the shirt. folded single peak, double peak or square? I'm not going for a business lunch and I'm not some crazy Italian gigolo, so square it is.
Black patent leather shoes, polished until they shine.
Shoes should be the same colour as your belt
What look does he want? James Bond? John Wick? No, there's only one besuited genius on his mind today, Bruce Wayne. He slips in his black on black bat symbol cuff links, straightens the shirt cuffs .
With Batman his inspiration a slim bottle of hand sanitizer slips into the outside pocket, phone inside right pocket, stainless steel cigarette case he'd converted into an emergency medical kit with plasters in an outside pocket, wallet and two tickets inside left
Smooth black smart watch synced to his phone. Ah, the wonders of modern technology.
He brings up a few graphs on its face with a flick of a fingertip. Typically Penny will usually be 12 to 15 minutes late, so he's booked the Uber Black car to be here ten minutes later than he'd said. Financially they were half way through her month, so she'd have stopped her usual clothes and shoe buying frenzy but not be slumped into the last week of Ramen and cheap red wine depression. Displays of wealth and taste would be unfairly impressive in the last week. Hormonally she should be slightly more emotional and less aggressive than usual. All seemed in readiness.
he strides out into the living room. In that respect Penny is certainly correct, it's hard to assume his usual shuffling step in a good suit. Leonard and Priya are sat together on the couch, eating Chinese food from the cartons and watching Lord of the Rings. They both look up in surprise.
Priya looks impressed " Wow Sheldon, you've really dressed up tonight. I don't think I've ever seen you in a suit"
Leonard looks puzzled. "I thought you said you were listening to music with Penny tonight?"
Sheldon nods " we are indeed listening to music"
"So you're not just sitting around learning modern music off YouTube again?"
"No, I have far grander plans."
there's a knock on the door and Penny comes in, wrapped in a black coat. At the sign of the besuited Sheldon she stop and swallows "Wow"
Priya smiles over at her "I know right?"
Sheldon ignores the couple on the sofa and fixes his whole attention on Penny.
"I am ready. I take it from your attendance you're ready to go?"
With a shy little grin she slips the coat off her shoulders and gives him a twirl - her dress is a soft dark sheath with swirling patterns of dark silver grey, cut high on her hip to show a flash of her leg as she walks. the neck line plunges at the front, showing her impressive cleavage and fastens behind her neck so her back is bare
She's done her hair as a wild tumble of curls that spilled over her shoulders and down her back
All eyes are on her and she's loving the attention already.
"What do you think?"
Leonard bumbles "you look great. and are you taller? "
she smiles and shows off her new shoes, shiny and black with a red sole and an impressive heel. "New Shoes!"
Priya is going green with envy
Sheldon's pocket beeps." The car is here. "
"So Sheldon, what's this surprise ? where are we off to? "
"you'll see"
she puts her coat on and he ushers her out of the door. On the sofa Leonard and Priya exchange confused glances, then realise they have the apartment to themselves for the evening and jump on each other .
In the car Penny is buzzing with excitement. Instead of a cheap taxi the car Sheldon has hired is positively luxurious, the driver well spoken and well dressed. She squirms on the seat, looking across at the somehow much more adult and attractive Sheldon seated next to her.
"So, when are you going to reveal the big secret? Where are we off to? Why the big occasion, the dressing up, the car? "
He remains stoic. "Wait and see". Frustrated, she can't think of a way to persuade him. He's immune to her physical charms, which have helped her avoid many a speeding ticket. He's focused and determined now so he won't be persuaded or tricked, even though he's usually terrible at keeping other peoples secrets. She resorts to watching the road signs and wishing she's bought her phone and had Google maps or something.
When the car peels off the freeway she catches a sign and shudders. Something campus?
"this better not be some geeky college thing Sheldon. I'm not getting all dressed up for nothing"
The car crunches to a stop on a gravel drive, in parkland where the evening shadows gather under shady trees.
The driver opens Sheldon's door first and then Sheldon walks round to open hers. he offers her a hand to help her out.
They're at one end of a smooth path that winds through landscaped grounds and he leads her along it, her hand on his arm.
It's a cool Pasadena evening and the sun is just setting, golden pools of light spill from streetlights along their way until they can see an imposing marble building, a tall facade of white stone and glass that is flood lit so it glows in the fading evening light.
In front of the building there is a fountain with a sculpture of spiralling birds, lit from below
Together they walk down paved sidewalks toward the main doors, where other people are gathered, some in evening dress, others more casually attired.
"This place is amazing, what is it?"
"This is the Ambassador Auditorium, it was built in 1974 under the guidance of H W Armstrong. It is used for church services, college functions and more importantly as a centre for the performing arts.
At the doors Sheldon produces two tickets and they're allowed through into the great glass walled lobby, lit by a huge three tier chandelier . All around them the murmur of polite conversation, the restrained eagerness of people waiting.
Penny realises just how different this is to her usual drunken nights out with her girlfriends, or take out with random geeks and scientists. This feels different, more cultured. Everyone seems a lot older and more reserved, though she notices a few appreciative glances as they walk through the crowd. She's the hottest one here.
She leans close to Sheldon and whispers "Did the ticket guy call you Doctor Cooper? "
Sheldon slips his arm around her waist and smiles. "The Performance starts in 5 minutes, we should take our seats"
She leans into him, enjoying the attention. Then she realises something. She can feel his hand on her bare back!
"you have come a long way, you're actually touching my bare skin without panicking and running off to wash your hands"
he jerks his hand back involuntarily, as if he'd been burned.
"Is that inappropriate?"
"Oh, it's alright. as long as you're sure I'm not going to give you germs? "
he puts his hand back, palm on her back, those long fingers of his on her hip.
"of course, I had you tested."
"you WHAT?" she hisses at him under her breathe
"Do you recall I took cheek swabs and blood samples from everyone? I sent them off to be checked for all forms on communicable disease as well as genetic history and any mutations or superpowers"
She frowns and pokes him in the chest with an accusing finger
"I think I need to have a chat to you about privacy and personal boundaries"
"you think that is going too far?"
"I definitely do. . you should always ask first "
"understood. Then may I have your permission to monitor your health and well-being scientifically?"
"I suppose so "
They take their seats. All around them is an expectant hush as the lights go down.
The orchestra starts to play with the swell of the strings, the stir of drums
she has a sudden moment of recognition, shock and looks over at Sheldon, who's grinning ear to ear.
Oh No. Oh No. NO NO NO He wouldn't dare!.
She leans in and hisses "I Know this! it's the Star Wars theme!"
Sheldon grins and shows her the program
" The Pasadena Symphony perform hits from the Movies? Sheldon, you utter ass!" then she's grinning ear to ear, laughing and pressing her face into Sheldon's jacket to muffle the sound.
"I guess a geek in a good suit is still a geek at heart"
Later that night they stumble laughing back up the stairs to the apartments, humming the Star Wars Imperial March, Penny wearing Sheldon's jacket over her shoulders and holding her new shoes.
At the door of 4B they pause. Penny opens her door and then turns to Sheldon, handing him his jacket.
"That was a Fantastic, Stupid and Amazing night, Sheldon. Thank you. "
She pauses and looks up at him
"wow, I just realised you're always going to remember this exactly as it goes, forever. Talk about performance anxiety" But she smiles and taking his face in her hands, kisses him slowly on the lips. she feels a tingle run up her spine and she silently curses the excitement she feels, He's all tall and well dressed, it's hard to remember he's just Sheldon the super nerd sometimes. Any other person would be getting a very different end to the evening, as she was in the mood to drag them to bed and give them a night to remember.
She expects him to start and pull away but he doesn't. Instead he opens his mouth slightly, leans into her and kisses back. her eyes fly open at this unexpected development, startled. but they she sees his are closed. He means this? One of his arms wraps around her waist, hand firm in the small of her back. His other hand comes up, holding her head
Oh wow. She lets the surprise go and gives in to the urge she feels, pushing herself close to him, letting herself melt into the kiss, flicking her tongue into his mouth.
She forgets where she is for a moment, who he is. all she knows is the feel of him pressed to her, the taste of her tongue in his mouth, the scent of him, a child/man mix of sweat aftershave and talc. She feels her face flush and her breathe get faster. What is happening here?
It only lasts a moment then he breaks away, both hands now on her hips to steady her.
He smiles. " Thank you for a wonderful night" and without a pause he turns and walks to his apartment, opening the door and going in without looking back
Penny takes a shaky breath, leaning back against the doorframe.
"WOW."
She stumbles into her apartment, closes the door and drops her shoes on the couch
what the HELL just happened?
