Well here's the next installment.

What strange things could happen in this chapter? Read and uncover!

Disclaimer: No, still not mine.

Penny's Bath

Penny smiled, the giggles stopping after she'd closed her apartment door, but her amusement at Sheldon's rigid schedules had not. Part of her, a most devilish part, loved to get him off schedule, if even just for a few moments. She couldn't understand it, but the sight of him completely lost just because the table at the Factory wasn't ready precisely when he walked through the door, was priceless. The way he'd glare at her for delaying Halo night an extra ten minutes so she could procrastinate in the bathroom, whiling away the minutes doing nothing at all. It was their game, the game that she and Sheldon had going, the one that she couldn't help but love, when of course she was winning.

She tossed her bag on the couch, flopping beside it, wondering what was on television. Of course since tonight was movie night, she'd have to be on time, especially since it wasn't just the boys that would be there. She couldn't keep everyone waiting just for her own personal gain. She'd figure out another way to make her calculated move. It was 3-D chess all right, only she was the Queen. Sheldon, he was a Knight. The boys, they were pawns, and she would win.

The television held her attention for a moment before she had to flip it off. Instead she was thinking about her discussion with Sheldon, as they walked up the stairs together, that invitation held possessively in his hand, almost as if it were going to disappear. She then recalled their conversation of love, and how he seemed so perplexed at the word. Penny wondered as she sat staring at the blank television screen, if Sheldon Cooper was capable of feeling love.

This entire business of finding a date for Missy's wedding (or else!) was really turning his neatly timed and organized world upside down. He was confused, a new emotion for him, and she sympathized. The poor man hadn't been in any emotional relationships, to his knowledge or hers for that matter. And now he'd have to track down a woman to take with him to a wedding that was right around the corner. What was Missy thinking? How could she do that to him, knowing how he is and all?

"I think I'll find out for myself." Penny said, reaching into her bag to pull out her cell phone.

Scrolling through the contact list she finally saw the number and, grinning from ear to ear, she hit the send button placing the delicate item to her ear. It only rang twice before Missy picked up. From the greeting alone it seemed like Missy had been anticipating this phone call. Penny controlled the urge to laugh; of course, she'd walked right into this.

"Hey darlin." Missy said happily in her southern drawl.

"Hey Miss, can I ask you something?"

"I think I know what this is about already." She paused. "Shelly, am I right?"

"As always. Now I see why you're twins."

"Ya wanted to know why I told him he had to bring a date."

"Well, I guess I already know why. You told me on your last visit right? You want to help find him someone, to settle down." Penny said crossing her feet at the ankles on the opposite end of the couch.

"Well, you could say that. I just want to help things along. How's he takin' it?"

"Honestly, not well. He's worried about his work."

"Poor baby." Missy said, not sounding to saddened. "But he'll be all right."

"I told him I'd help him find someone. But Miss, this is going to be impossible, you know that right?"

"As I'm sure my brother will tell ya, nothin's impossible."

There was some noise from the background, and Missy's voice calling something. Then she could hear Sheldon's mother call a greeting to Penny which she reciprocated before Missy's voice was back on the line again. Only now she sounded rushed. Penny guessed it was wedding errands.

"I'll have to get back to ya Penny. Remember, wear something pretty. There'll be plenty of pictures."

"Wait, what? I'm invited?" Penny asked astonished.

"Bye darlin!"

The line was dead and Penny was staring at the cell phone with the most confused expression. What had she meant? Had Penny been invited to Missy's wedding? If she was why hadn't the invitation arrived today, for Sheldon's had. Flipping the phone closed she rose to her feet, and wandered toward her room to gather a set of comfy clothes to change into after her shower.

Pictures? Why would she be in any of the pictures? Sure when Missy had come to visit they'd become friends, but surely not that close. Not close enough to include in your cherished wedding photos, the ones you'd keep for the rest of your life. Only the closest of friends and family would be included in them. So why had Missy mentioned them?

"She probably just meant the pictures everyone at the wedding would be taking." Penny said grinning to herself at her sudden suspicious nature.

But for some reason she couldn't suppress the curious thoughts. The ones about double meanings, and things said but unsaid. She was definitely implying that Penny would be at the wedding, but so far there'd been no invitation to speak of. And of course there was that cryptic phrase she'd uttered in the middle of the conversation, something about wanting to help things along. What was that about?

Penny slowly began to undress, sliding the denim skirt down her long shapely legs, until it lay in a heap by her feet. She next pulled her shirt over her head, before leaning into the tub to place the rubber stopper in the drain. Such a trying day deserved a bath, rather than a shower. A long relaxing steaming hot bath, so she could lie still for a while, letting the tension in her back and neck be slowly released. She turned the taps, until the water blasted out of the spigot, the sound already beginning to relax her overworked body.

She'd slipped into the clear water tying her hair in an awkward ponytail on top of her head to keep most of it dry. The water lacked any of the soothing aromas from the many baskets she'd received at Christmas from Sheldon because she didn't need to give Howard a reason to bring his face any closer to her skin that necessary. She shivered at the thought despite the almost scalding water she was sitting in. Sliding lower, until the water was just barely lapping her chin, she closed her eyes and rested her head.

Some time passed in silence, the only sound around her was the soft lapping of water on the side of the porcelain tub. Her thoughts began to wander, focusing half-heartedly on the auditions she had to attend later on that week. But no matter how hard Penny attempted to think about them, the future of her acting career, they were always plagued by Missy's soft southern voice reminding her to wear something pretty.

KnockKnockKnock

"Penny."

Her eyes snapped open. It was her imagination.

KnockKnockKnock

"Penny."

No, it wasn't, he was there. But why! Hadn't she said she'd let him know? Was it seven already? Frustrated she sat up, the water making annoying splashing sounds as she rose and reached for her towel. If she didn't answer she knew he'd only let himself in anyway. He always did that when she was home.

Wrapping the towel around her naked form she started out into the hall, bracing herself momentarily for she'd slid on the wet floor. The sequence was almost over. She moved to the door, and just as her hand touched the knob…

KnockKnockKnock

"Penny."

"Yes, Sheldon?" she asked, opening the door just wide enough so she could poke her head into the opening.

"Hello Penny, or should I say Penny's head?" he said staring at her plainly, obviously waiting for her to explain why she'd not opened the door enough for him to come inside.

"Hello, did you need something sweetie?" She'd glanced at the clock; it was nowhere near seven.

"No, there's a matter I need to discuss with you."

"Can it wait? I'm sort of in the middle of a bath."

"Ahh, so that is the reason for you not extending the usual invitation to come inside. You are currently nude on the other side of the door."

She'd never heard someone make a person being naked on the other side of a door sound so unappealing. She almost grimaced at him, but instead just asked him what it was that he needed to talk about. He seemed to look around uncomfortably a moment, anywhere but at her face, before he spoke.

"I think we should speak inside."

"Whatever." She said throwing the door wide.

She didn't bother to look over her shoulder at the uncomfortable look he'd most likely adopt, or the sudden interest in the floor, but instead moved to the couch where she sat, her legs curled under her. She held the towel firmly with one hand as she fumbled with a throw with the other. She'd almost had the quilted blanket covering one shoulder, though it was slipping, when a hand reached over her and took the fabric from her hand. Gracefully he shook the throw, and watched as if fluttered neatly over her head and shoulders. She pulled it around her mumbling her thanks as he passed to take his claimed spot over on the other side of the coffee table.

"Shoot." She said.

"Well, the matter I've come to speak to you about is rather, personal. I need your help. I do not ask things like this often, but I need for you to do me what society would refer to as a favour. An assisting deed for me that can be reciprocated in the future."

"I'm not driving you to the comic book store Sheldon. The man at the counter is worse than Howard."

"While I agree completely that Mr. Hanniberg is most lecherous, that is not the favour I request. It has to do with my sister's wedding."

Penny froze.

Pictures.

It couldn't be.

"Penny, it would be a great help to me if in fact, you, would be my date to the affair in question. Of course I'd pay for the transportation, and the hotel room."

He rambled on but Penny had zoned out. It had been a set up. The entire thing had been a set up. Missy was a crafty one, Penny would give her that, but this was down right unfair. Not only was she making Sheldon suffer, but she was making Penny suffer as well. The poor boy was having a panic attack over missing three days of work, yet he had money stashed away in superheroes. Penny didn't have a dime saved away for anything. She was barely able to keep afloat now, what with the mountain of bills she owed and the horrible hours she was getting at the Cheesecake Factory. It was unfair!

She'd have to have a word or two with Missy for doing this.

She stared at Sheldon, who in turn was staring at the coffee table as if it was the one being asked to go to a wedding. He was blushing slightly; his cheeks tinted a soft pink that of course stood out exceptionally well compared to the pale complexion he normally sported. He was still, not fidgety as Leonard had been anytime he'd tried to talk to her. She could suddenly picture him standing there, clothed in a tuxedo, ready smile his terrifying fake smile for the wedding photos. And of course she saw herself beside him.

It wasn't half bad.

Her head was beginning to pound. She could feel it, right behind her eyes. Thumping like it was a drum and drummer, tapping out a rhythmic tune. She closed her eyes, rubbing her temples gently in an effort to minimize the pain, but it was still there, thumping away. Nothing he was saying seemed to be registering, or was he even still speaking? She wasn't even sure anymore. The only thing she could clearly hear was the pounding in her head.

ThumpThumpThump

"Penny." She heard him say.

ThumpThumpThump

"Penny." He said once more. She couldn't say a word.

ThumpThumpThump

"Penny."

Her eyes opened. She was in the tub. It had been a dream. The entire situation. She smiled in relief, sitting up in the chilled water. She'd fallen asleep. But she could hear the sequence beginning again. Rolling her eyes she told him she'd be there in a minute. Hoping out of the tube she dried herself, before pulling on a pair of white pyjama pants with Hello Kitty on them and a tank top. When she appeared at the door, Sheldon's hand was raised once more to begin his knock sequence.

He didn't speak right away but instead seemed to take in her sloppy appearance. She hadn't yet said a word to him; instead she was watching to see what he did. Part of her was terrified, for what if he began as he had in the dream, what if he asked her to go to the wedding as his date? What reply would she have for him? Before the dream she'd have said no, in the most gentle of manners, telling him that it would interfere with her work, which she counted on for survival not a Nobel Prize. But now?

Now she wasn't entirely sure what her answer would be.

He'd need someone with him. He'd need someone to make sure that he didn't have a panic attack in the hotel room because the room service guy accidentally brushed a piece of food on his plate when he was sitting it on the table. And most of all, he had to bring someone. But there was still the issue of work, of her need of money. She'd need time to think.

He must have noticed her internal struggle for he'd still not said a word. She snapped out of her frantic thoughts and gazed at him with wide eyes. He took a noticeable step back, mistaking her panic for anger. He opened his mouth to say something but seemed to think better of it. They stood there staring at one another in a painfully awkward silence until Penny had the good sense to say something.

"Hey."

"Hello."

"Did you need something?" she said shakily.

"I seem to have forgotten what it was that I'd come over to say." He mused looking perplexed, now, at himself.

"That's gotta be a first." She mumbled. He merely nodded.

"What time is it?"

"It's only been half an hour since our parting. Quarter to six perhaps." He said not bothering to glance at the cell phone in his pocket. He was right on the dot anyhow.

"Are the guys over yet?" Penny asked quietly.

"If you're referring to Wolowitz and Koothrappali, then yes. They arrived not long after I returned to the apartment."

"Oh. Do you mind if I come over and hang with you until seven?"

Sheldon seemed taken aback by her request. Penny couldn't help but smile at the surprise in his eyes, even though when he answered her he spoke in his normal calm tone. She turned around, informing him that she just had to clean up a few things, that she'd be over in a minute.

"I'll wait." He said, entering her apartment, and closing the door softly behind him.

Well, hope you're enjoyin it so far. Lemme know please. Reviews really do make me wanna write more.

Starry