Sheldon is sitting at his desk in his room, at his computer, Penny on the bed beside him with her phone, laptop and relationship agreement folder ready in her lap.
She's curious "So what's this big occasion?"
Sheldon turns to her, very serious. "Penny, as we've been going out a while now with a marked level of success I thought we're ready to advance to the next level of our relationship."
She's taken aback. "Really?" She smiles. "So what's this next level?"
"I'd like to share my calendar with you."
"Wow. I know you Sheldon, that's a big deal. are you sure?"
"Of course. I've set up a log in for you on my personal server."
"What's the password?"
"Its 'Penny is my girlfriend' and today's date. No spaces." He smiles his weird little smile.
She laughs. "Well they'll never guess that."
"Once you've logged in I'll set the authenticator program for you as the password changes regularly."
"You take this security pretty seriously don't you?"
"Of course."
She logs in and her phone starts to ping with updates and reminders.
Lots of reminders.
After a minute it's still going, she looks at Sheldon and raises a wry eyebrow.
"I'm getting your whole life story here aren't I?"
"Oh, that's just the next few days."
"How about we cut the reminders back a bit for me? Say , if I need to know your bran to bowel movement ratio I'll look it up on your weird chart or ask."
"Ok, what shall I filter it on? "
"Thinks we're doing together. Peoples birthdays. Non Optional social conventions. Things like that."
"Ok, I'll set up a Penny filter for you."
"Man, you have got a LOT of events and files and things here"
She starts to skim through.
"Whow, you're pretty thorough. What's the coloured line labelled "Penny index"? "
"I've been tracking your hormonal cycle for a while now, with a fair amount of accuracy. Though your health, diet, medication and drinking had made it rather erratic at times things have stabilised more recently."
"You really nail the 'creepy sweet' thing sometimes honey. "
she scrolls through some more
"and what's in the Penny ? "
Sheldon freezes. "Oh. yes. that's an old planning document..."
She already has it open and is reading "It's a check list about me? My likes and dislikes?
Tall - proved by Kurt - disproved by Leonard. Already tall. discard.
Muscular - proved by Kurt - disproved by Leonard. discard.
Stupid - proved by Kurt - disproved by Leonard. discard.
Short - proved by Leonard - disproved by Kurt. discard.
"I was trying to work out what you looked for in a prospective mate by observation of previous success and failures, and then seeing how I fitted into those categories.
"Were you planning this all along? stalking me?"
"well, yes. I wasn't going to rush in blind. Once I realised I was enough of a match to succeed I set about a series of interactions showing how suitable I was before asking you out."
"You staged all of that courtship?"
"hardly staged, they were all genuine interactions, simply framed to showcase one or more of my advantages. consider it more an intellectual display, proving that I was worthy?
"Worthy? Of what?
"of you, of course. "
She stares at him, open mouthed. "I don't know if I should be flattered or run screaming"
He shrugs and looks down "I'd rather you didn't do the latter. "
She sighs. "It's ok honey, I know it's just you being you. And I admire your honesty. " She reads on "you read my horoscope? I thought you didn't believe in astrology?"
"I don't but I know you do, so it's easier to understand you if I know how you think you are meant to act."
"How I'm meant to act?"
"Yes. The position of the planets and stars has absolutely zero relation to your personality, but simply by listing positive and negative traits people want to think they have you can get strong false positive results which reinforces the belief people have in star signs"
he gestures to the star chart "So you think you are a Sagittarius so you think you should be generous, extrovert, optimistic and enthusiastic, and likes changes, are idealistic , open minded and funny but also be impatient, undiplomatic , tactless, hate clingy people , details and restraint."
he looks at her and ponders to himself "man, that does sound like you. "
She brings up a large black and white photo and reads the notes on the edge.
"You've got a scan of my brain? Dr Hofstadter sent you a copy of my brain?"
"Yes of course. Beverly was most helpful. she sent me copies of all her notes on you. Remarkable woman. Of course, she deduced the reason for my interest and thought you'd make an unconventional but most satisfactory partner for me, once you were over a few issues."
"A few issues?"
"Well, reliance on seeking approval from your father. By choosing to replace him with a new male authority figure in your life you're doing well."
"And moving from an external locus of self to an internal one means improving your self confidence so you're not constantly seeking validation in others approval."
"You knew all this? "
"Yes, and more importantly so did you. I don't have some secret science way into your head, just careful observations about what you show the world every day."
"Does knowing how gravity works change the way a pendulum swings? No, with science you just know the words and formulas to explain why. I'm not trying to change you, I'm giving you the tools and opportunity so you can to choose to change yourself . If you choose to stay with me I'll be glad, if you choose another path I'll be a friend. The choice is always yours.
"Oh, She may want to scan our brains annually to see if they change significantly. "
"Like that's going to happen. Ok, there's a lot more here... oh, this is rich. Penny Advantages and disadvantages?"
Drinking.
Prone to confrontation and Violence.
Limited understanding of science
no ability to budget
Obsession with footwear
overuse of profanity when aroused
Charming appearance
Adept at confrontation and Violence.
Sings soft kitty when I am sick
Understands me better than anyone outside immediate family
suspect a sexually submissive nature
"Some of this is weird and some kinda sweet. But a "sexually Submissive nature"? Sheldon, where the hell did you get that idea? we've done some pretty wild stuff, but Submissive? really?"
"Oh, there's nothing to be ashamed of Penny, everyone is submissive or dominant to some degree."
"Your upbringing has made your loud, boisterous outgoing persona but think about how you act with those you trust. Do you like to help, feel a sense of happiness and satisfaction when you please someone? Do you feel it is a personal failure when someone is mad at you, even though you did nothing wrong?"
"I know you said you found it hot when Leonard was more assertive and frustrating when he went back to his usual indecisive whine. I assume the same was true with him in the bedroom?
"You found Kurt frustrating for the same reason, you wanted something from him but had problems putting it into words he'd understand. He took from you and you gave willingly but didn't get the feelings you needed in return? but you thought something was wrong with you not him"
She sits down slowly staring at Sheldon.
"Ok, when did you learn to read minds? Or did you hide cameras in my room?"
"No, that was Howard. I regularly go through and remove them."
"He what?! That little jerk!"
She goes to rise, indignant in anger, fists clenched
Sheldon raises a hand, says firmly. "Stop. Stay seated. we're talking. that can wait"
She turns her angry glower at him but sits.
"Don't protect the little jerk, He deserves a beating"
"Indeed he does. but not now. It was a long time ago and I have dealt with it. You're getting distracted from the main subject. But notice that you sat without thinking when I said to. "
"I. Well. Yes. because you said." She stutters, confused.
He sits down next to her and takes her hand. "Stop. Take a few deep breathes."
"Now look at me. I want you to trust me and do as I say. You feel confused, don't you?"
She nods.
"So be mindful, focus on this moment. Say 'I notice I am confused'."
"I notice that I am confused"
"Good girl. Now, breathe slowly and think about what you're feeling. Your heart rate and respiration went up and your body interpreted it as panic, but it's not. What are you feeling"
"Freaked out. Creeped out by all this. Nervous. Scared."
"Only to be expected, when feelings are strange and new. Excited?"
"Erm..." She looks away. "Yeah. A bit. I think." She looks at him "How are you doing this?"
"I'm just putting names to things you've always felt. Think back and you'll know that's true."
"You give of yourself and seek approval for the giving. Just as dominants take and enjoy control. "
She looks at him awestruck. "You're putting into words a lot of stuff I've never told anyone."
She frowns, thinking. "You're bossy and controlling, plus like to lead in bed so I take it you're one of these dominant types " He nods. "And that gives you this weird insight into me?
"That and my usual genius"
She laughs nervously. "Humble as ever. So what does this mean?:
"Nothing if you don't want it to. "
She puts her hands in her lap, head down, nervous.
"And if i do?"
"Then we explore. And i promise to take care of you. Nothing that I don't think you can handle .I won't let you get hurt. If you choose to submit, you choose to give your power of choice to me. It takes bravery and trust."
"Ok. well, I trust you. tell me more."
"Good"
He leans in and grabs the hair on the back of her head in a forceful grip. As she opens her mouth to gasp he kisses her hard, forcing his mouth to hers
She automatically raises her hands to fend him off then relents, giving in and enjoying it as she's never let herself before. He takes her right wrist in his hand and holds it down
Her pulse is racing, adrenaline rushing, every instinct screaming to run, to fight, to get free. But she's also enjoying it. Really enjoying it, breathe tight stomach flutter thighs trembling enjoying it. Why run? She thinks and is surprised by how easy and honest the answer feels.
Because if you don't run now you'll never get free again.
He pushes her back on the bed. She's always surprised to remember that funny geeky little Sheldon is still a grown man a full head taller than her, who has been working out and actually has a little muscle now. She knows she's stronger and better at wrestling than him from junior rodeo but just the feel of this man she desires and who desires her pressing down on her robs her arms of their strength.
After what seems like a breathless age he breaks free of the kiss. She gives a little shudder of pleasure. "That was amazing."
She starts to move. He snaps "Stay still." She freezes, looking at him questioning.
He slides his hand up under her top, caressing her breast, finding her nipple with ease as its rock hard. He gently strokes it, sending little shudders of pleasure through her
"Did you find that exciting?"
"Oh yes" she answers in a breathless rush
He grips her nipple roughly and gives it a tug.
"Answer with just 'Yes Sheldon' or 'No Sheldon'. "
"Ow! Hey! "
"Do it. "
She feels the urge to fight rise up but she meets his gaze and feels it let go.
Meekly she says. "Yes Sheldon. "
"Good girl."
Just hearing that makes the excitement throb through her
He releases his grip and slides his fingers down over her stomach, down inside the elastic waistband of her shorts, down over the soft silkiness of her panties, down to stroke and tease between her legs.
"And did it arouse you?
The wet spot he is stroking is answer enough but he wants to hear her say it.
"Yes Sheldon. "
"And do you want more? "
She rocks her hips, pushing up against his hand and smiles. "Yes Sheldon. "
He smiles and stops his teasing strokes. "Impressive. In the right mood you are very responsive. "
She pouts "oh, don't stop". Her breathing is fast and her face flushed
"That's enough for the first day.. don't worry, there will be many more, plenty of chance for you to earn that orgasm "
" Earn it? That sounds scary."
"You will see. But that's for later. Now relax. Let's see if I can bring you down as easily as I fire you up." He wraps his arms around her
"What do you mean? "
"Well, it's clear you respond to me, and I respond to you. But it's not the sort of state of mind we need for everyday life, you'd get your feelings hurt trying to please everyone at once and I'd get frustrated when people didn't do as I say. its private and should be just between us.
Held her a while, kissing softly until he could feel her heart rate had slowed.
they lie together, calm and relaxed.
She smiles up at the ceiling "we need to do more of this"
