4. The Only Question Worth Asking.
About six months had passed since Sheldon and Penny moved out and things had reached a new status quo.
Sheldon had been on the rise since he left. He'd been doing important work with some of the other physicists, and it was expected that he'd end up with a Nobel prize sooner rather than later. He'd even recently collaborated with his alma mater in Germany in a project measuring monopoles in the Arctic that was rumoured to be promising. He'd even collaborated with the likes of Leslie Winkle without argument.
He still spoke to Leonard, Howard, and Raj - but these days this was mostly limited to casual conversations in the cafeteria.
Unknown to the rest of his colleagues, his other career had a similar, if not even more dramatic uplift. With Penny's support, he had contacted some rather large theatre companies on Broadway with the revised script for his Tale of Orpheus. Upon an audition with both him and Penny, this play was quickly adopted.
With Siebert's knowledge and express permission, he took a step back from his physics work and performed his play on some of the largest stages in the world. As Sheldon ensured there were no recording devices at the shows, the fame garnered solely from word of mouth was incredible.
It reached the point where Sheldon had to hide away from the paparazzi and return to his work at Caltech, whilst Penny basked in the fame and adulation she'd earned from her performances.
Even though he was in the west coast working on his newest project; supersymmetry - and Penny was on the east coast working on new roles for Broadway; they still kept to their own shared routines, which included nightly Skype calls. Their relationship was stronger than ever.
Although the other staff at Caltech didn't know why, Sheldon was a superstar to the administration. They discovered that both Sheldon and his girlfriend had been nominated for a number of Tony awards, which as far as Siebert was concerned; was an even more lucrative form of the Nobel prize as far as funding would be concerned. The donors may not understand how supersymmetry could earn a Nobel Prize, but they would understand and donate to the genius who'd won a Tony.
Leonard hadn't quite found his equilibrium over the past half a year or so. He struggled without Sheldon. He struggled at work. He struggled with his remaining friendships. He struggled with his mother. Most of all, he struggled to accept Penny had moved on.
He was sat in the cafeteria with Raj, Howard and surprisingly Sheldon - who was a rare sight these days - he pondered glumly. His eyes were glued to the pop culture magazine in his spare hand as he ate. He'd tracked Penny's career with an involuntary masochism. Every success felt like a dagger in his heart - reminding him he'd missed his chance or worse - he'd held her back. Every photoshoot where she'd be in a gorgeous dress coyly smiling at the camera made him want to cry. He knew their children would have been smart and beautiful, and now as Sheldon had once told him - imaginary. He felt a painful sort of pride that he'd known her. He dated her. She was looking to be the next Angelina Jolie and he knew her! He still felt an immense jealousy for whoever her boyfriend was, as his eyes were glued to the sappiest interview she'd given to date. Even his friends were giving him cautious glances, careful not to mention her.
XxXxX
We managed to catch the latest supernova; Penelope Queen herself for an exclusive interview shortly after her announced hiatus in advance of the upcoming Tony awards.
E: Hello Penelope, it's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Emma Roberts.
Penelope was dressed in a gorgeous red dress with golden highlights. (See P.65 for the exclusive pictures)
P: Hi! It's so nice to meet you Emma and please, it's just Penny.
She was just as bubbly and cheerful as she'd always appeared in recorded interviews.
E: Well then, Penny. The first question will have to be about the upcoming Tony awards. Your co-starring role in Tale of Orpheus had become something of an international sensation. I cried when I first saw it myself. What can you tell me about it?
P: Oh, you've just tripped over a landmine
She laughed out loud at this.
E: How so? I hope I've not overstepped?
P: Not at all! As every person who has ever interviewed me can tell you; once I start talking about this, I can't stop! Haha.
E: Well, feel free. I'm sure our readers are all the more excited to hear about it!
P: Well, first I should say that the person who wrote and co-starred with me on it is my boyfriend.
E: Oh my! It's common knowledge you are in a relationship with someone unknown, but I don't think anybody knew who. I'd heard the rumours of course! But wow, that's so romantic! Did you meet on the set?
Penny looked overjoyed to be talking about her mystery boyfriend.
P: Not quite. You see, my boyfriend - before he was my boyfriend - had written the first draft of the play with me in mind. He was shy and hadn't thought to confess his feelings to me, but I stumbled on him quietly performing it.
E: Wow, I assume this was when he confessed?
Penny laughed again at this.
P: Oh, not at all. Haha, he was terribly embarrassed to be seen. You see, he liked acting, but he valued his privacy even more. That's why you don't see his name in the credits for the play or see his name in any of the magazines. He wrote and acted for his own enjoyment, I had to spend weeks convincing him that his gift should be shared with the rest of the world.
I was shocked to hear this admission. It has been a mystery as to why some of the credits for the play were blacked out. This, along with the strict anti-digital measures was the original source for the rising popularity. Now we have confirmation from Penny herself that her co-star, the 'handsome blue-eyed devil' himself had created the initial buzz accidentally!
E: I agree. And what a gift it was! Orpheus of course, is a Greek tragedy but this play had a hopeful ending. Did he ever explain his motivations to you?
Penny appeared more than eager to let us know.
P: Oh yes! The first draft of the play was also a tragedy. Orpheus lost his lady love and it ended in heartbreak.
E: Why did that change between drafts?
P: Because of his motivations. The way he explained it to me was, he'd take any feeling he had in his heart, and use that to write a play centred on those feelings. He wrote Orpheus as a heart-breaking tragedy because the feelings he used were unrequited love for me.
Penny blushed at this point.
E: That's amazing! And so romantic! So why did it change?
P: Partly because we'd got together, his feelings on the matter had changed and he didn't feel like the motivations behind the play matched. But also, partly because of me. When we'd act it together all alone before I convinced him to go public, we'd both get so emotional! We really became Orpheus and Eurydice and he said he didn't like seeing me sad.
E: Oh wow! He really does love you, doesn't he?
P: Yes, he may be stoic normally, but when we're alone or onstage, I feel like I could drown in his eyes.
E: Where is he now? You've had new roles since then, but he hasn't been featured anywhere else.
P: He actually has an entirely different career separate from acting. We still play around at home, but the Tale of Orpheus was his way of showing the world what he felt. With that done, he simply returned to his day job.
E: That is surprising. He was so good? Why not embrace it?
P: That's what I always say! I was a struggling actress working as a waitress before we got together. He shared so many tips and tricks with me, he practically trained me, so I feel like all my success now is down to him. He could be so much more, but like I said, he's a very private person and he loves what he does now. We love each other and share this interest, but that doesn't mean he has to embrace it like I do.
E: I can see now why you warned me. Most of the interview so far has been about him.
Penny laughed and nodded her agreement.
E: Before I let you go what can you tell me about what's next for you?
P: Well, first is the only recorded version of the Tale of Orpheus. I finally managed to convince my boyfriend to have a digital copy of the play out there. So soon enough anyone that missed the live shows will be able to see what all the fuss has been about. It'll be held in a few weeks at a University in Pasadena. After that will be the Tony awards. Before my boyfriend, that had always been my dream; but now I'm just looking forward to brushing my shoulders against those giants.
E: Well, hopefully all your fans and everyone else interested will be able to catch the show! What awards have you been nominated for?
P: Well, I've been nominated for best actress, but my boyfriend said we share accolades, so we're nominated for best actor, best actress, best historical production, best script, and best new play.
E: I hope to see you and your mystery man win them all. And I think I speak for everyone when I say I can't wait to see what you do next!
P: Thank you so much! I've really enjoyed this interview, it's another piece of my dream completed!
E: I'm just as honoured. Thank you for speaking with me.
She shook my hand, smiled, and skipped away to Skype with her boyfriend.
Don't forget to catch the last showing of the Tale of Orpheus at Caltech University on the 27th of April or purchase the recording from Luminous Blossom Theatre Group from the 2nd of May.
XxXxX
Leonard threw the magazine to the table in disgust.
"A twenty-minute interview and she can't go without talking about her boyfriend." He sulked.
The rest of the guys shared a glance.
"Dude, why are you even reading it then?" Raj asked.
"He probably made her say that. She'd never be famous without him. He's using her." Leonard whined.
Sheldon stood up forcefully, catching the rest of them off guard.
"Leonard, Penny is our friend. Her success shouldn't be the cause of you ruining that. She achieved her dreams; we should all be supportive of that." He said firmly.
Leonard sputtered jealously.
"Well, we haven't seen her since she moved away. She's not much of a friend if she forgets us as soon as she becomes famous." Leonard spat.
"And I wouldn't fault her for it. I've been around here less, and it's because of that attitude of yours. You can't help but poison everything good your friends achieve, instead of supporting them. You put us down when you should build us up. Penny may have left, but you're the one who isn't much of a friend. Good day. Howard, Rajesh." He finished with two curt nods before he promptly left.
Leonard sputtered before grumbling.
"Sheldon isn't much of a friend once he hits the big-time either. He could have offered me a slot to his Arctic Expedition." He muttered sourly.
Howard and Raj shared a silent look. They liked hanging around with Leonard less and less lately. It seemed like Sheldon was right about him putting them down.
The 27th of April quickly arrived, and the university was abuzz. Siebert was seen around the University grinning like a lunatic as the day approached. Even an incident with Dr. Kripke damaging an expensive neutron laser didn't dim his smile or the infectious atmosphere.
An amphitheatre had been entirely redesigned as a makeshift theatre space. A professional movie-quality camera crew had set up and the seats quickly filled.
Leonard and the gang had managed to squeeze some extra seats from Sheldon and Leslie and were anxiously waiting to see Penny again. They caught sight of her smiling and signing autographs earlier but couldn't get any closer. Leonard felt a great schadenfreude that Sheldon didn't seem to make it in time before the doors were closed and locked. He never spared a thought that there weren't any empty seats nearby.
Raj noticed this though and had an unlikely suspicion as to why but didn't say anything. They'd all find out soon enough if he was right. They had amazing seats for the play, up in an elevated box that was soundproofed m, which only added to his suspicion.
The lights went out and the introduction to the play was given.
The Tale of Orpheus, told in three acts: starring Eric Bana in role of Zagreus, Philip Quast in the role of Hades, Penelope Queen in the role of Eurydice and the author, Doctor Sheldon Cooper reprising the role of Orpheus.
Howard and Leonard shot to their feet in shock.
"What the frak?! Sheldon wrote this?" Howard exclaimed.
"What the frak! Sheldon is Penny's mysterious boyfriend!" Leonard shouted with gritted teeth.
Raj simply sat down with a smile that he was right.
As Howard was almost comatose with shock and Leonard raged in impotent jealousy at the apparent unfairness of it all. Raj sat back and was pleasantly surprised at the performance. Penny was magnificent as expected, but Sheldon was the real surprise. He could act, he could emote, he could even sing! Raj thoroughly enjoyed the show. At the finale, when Orpheus pled to the Gods directly to spend an eternity in hell as long as he could be with his darling Eurydice had him shedding tears.
By this point, he'd forgotten that he knew Penny and Sheldon, he was enraptured as he saw Orpheus sing with such somber beauty that the Gods of Olympus themselves wept and returned to him his lady love.
Raj watched as Orpheus staggered to Eurydice and held her in his arms. The play ended with them both singing a peaceful duet.
Farewell,
To all the earthly remains.
No burdens,
No further debts to be paid.
…
No contracts,
I'm free to do as I may.
No hunger,
No sleep except to dream.
Mild and warm,
Safe from all harm.
…
There was an exuberant atmosphere in the refurbished cafeteria after the play. Penny was surrounded by avid fans while Sheldon was speaking to a variety of donors with surprising social acumen.
The gang couldn't help but feel off-kilter as they slowly manoeuvred through the crowd toward the stars. Raj was looking forward to reuniting with Penny, Howard was excited to ask for some autographs. He'd have a mighty collection of theatrical memorabilia after today's performance. Leonard was still stewing in jealousy, but he had a plan.
Sheldon was always weak in social situations, and he believed there would still be some unresolved sexual tension between him and Penny. All he needed to do was overrule Sheldon and compliment Penny. She could still be his, he was certain of it.
"Hey guys!" Penny said with a wide grin when they got close.
Raj immediately turned into a fan girl and hugged Penny.
"Oh, that was such a wonderful performance Penny! I've missed you so much! Congratulations!" He gushed.
Howard came forward with both arms full of miscellaneous materials. Set pieces and rumpled scripts galore as he immediately shoved them toward Penny.
"You were amazing! I've never been to the theatre before and oh my God I've missed out! Can you sign this stuff?" He asked eagerly, earning a joyful laugh and nod from Penny.
"Hey Penny, it's so good to see you again. You've really come up in the world huh?" Leonard smiled in what he thought was a suave way, doing that eyebrow thing he found attracted women.
His sleazy approach fell a little flat, with all of them - bar Sheldon who didn't care - giving forced smiles.
"Hey Leonard, long time no see." She smiled uneasily.
"So, you and Sheldon huh? What on earth is that like?" He asked, still sporting that smarmy grin.
"Oh, it's wonderful! We've been through so much together and it all just kinda fell into place." She smiled a little more warmly.
"So, you settled for his expertise then?"
Penny stopped smiling.
"Not at all. We love each other. It's fantastic."
"Yeah, but how can you be sure? You know Sheldon, he doesn't have a deal." He pushed.
At this point, Sheldon smoothly stepped toward them, wrapping an arm around Penny's waist and giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning to a rapidly purpling Leonard.
"I am not an asexual robot Leonard. I may not have had a 'deal' as you put it, but that was just because I hadn't found the right woman. I have now." Sheldon said smoothly, cutting through the awkward tension.
"I saw her first, you jerk." Leonard whined.
"And this is why I told him not to tell you." Penny chipped in. "We belong together, and if we told you at the beginning, you would have torpedoed it."
"But… but what about us?" He begged.
"Leonard… you missed your chance. Maybe we could have been something, maybe not. Probably not. But that time has passed now. Sheldon is my gravity, and I'm his chaos theory." Penny said.
"But what about-" Leonard was cut off by a gushing Raj.
"Oh, my Lord! Is that Nenya?" He squealed, grabbing Penny's hand that adorned a beautiful diamond ring.
Penny squealed right back at him.
"Oh yes! It turns out moonpie had it custom made shortly after we moved in together. He didn't tell me until we got nominated for the Tony though." She grinned.
"Tell. Me. Everything!" Raj gushed.
They zoned everyone out as they giggled and gossiped.
"You just have to take everything don't you. I had dibs!" Leonard whined to Sheldon.
"Dibs is for children's toys and car seats, Leonard. This is your 'needy baby greedy baby' attitude coming out. Penny is a woman with a beautiful soul, not a trophy for you to parade around." Sheldon bit out.
Disregarding Leonard with a practiced ease. He turned his attention to Penny. She was right. It was easier than he'd assumed. She was always right. He remembered his Meemaw once said that with the right person by his side, the world would make sense to him. She was always right too.
They breezed through the rest of the party, handling the congratulations and well-wishes with an ease that shocked all those who knew Sheldon, but even then, they were never far from each other. Sharing glances and smiles and touching each other gently.
Sheldon was overjoyed. He welcomed a little bit of chaos into his world years ago, and now he couldn't imagine a future more delightful.
Penny was in cloud nine. Sheldon may have a new spot in their apartment, but she'd found her 0,0,0,0 and he was standing beside her. She always feared commitment but being with her whack-a-doodle didn't even feel like that, not really. It just felt like she was home.
They'd still argue and fight and prank each other but underneath it all was a reservoir of love.
"So, do you think I can still-"
"You are not getting the one ring for your wedding band Sheldon." She said.
"It would fit." He argued.
"I can't wait to hear this. Go on then, tell me how the bad guy's ring would be a good wedding ring?"
He cleared his throat before speaking theatrically.
"One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them, one ring to bring them all, and in the darkness, bind them."
Penny paused, and Sheldon got his hopes up.
"Nice try moonpie, but no dice."
Sheldon huffed, but gripped her hand a little tighter as he tried not to smile.
They'd always butt heads, but he couldn't wait to experience every second of it.
A/N: I committed to the Nenya idea for a ring before I realised the One Ring poem wasn't romantic at all. I figured I could include it as a last bit of Sheldon geekiness lol.
That's the end of the story though. I hope you enjoyed it!