AN - hey guys, this is where the fun starts. Penny and Sheldon banter and cute couple moments.
Their first date - enjoy :)
Chapter 6 – Casual but who cares?
After they catching up with a shocked and appraising Dr Gablehauser and discussing the events that will take place shortly after for Sheldon; such as Interviews, press releases, possible author interviews to publishing books and magazines article opportunities, they headed to Los Angeles ocean seafront.
''Sheldon, where are you directing me to? We have been driving for 30 minutes now.'' Penny asked getting hungry and anxious because he is being very vague and irritating.
''Penny, trust me. You will be very pleased with the restaurant that I have made reservations for. If it helps we are half way there'' Sheldon tells hers for the fourth time now.
Sheldon wanted to surprise penny with something extra special. He has heard that the restaurant in mind has a very high standard rating with big names attending there and leaving good reviews. The price range is a bit exaggerated but the occasion calls for a bit of celebration. It takes over an hour to reach but hopefully the anticipation will fuel penny's appreciation for the treat that he has for her.
After another 30 minutes of directing penny to the seafront, Sheldon can see that the scene is perfect for their first date. He called earlier this evening whilst penny went to bathroom at Caltech, hoping to get an evening reservation. He had to pull some strings but seeing as he just proved string theory and penny was a new movie star they conceded and luckily had some tables spare. Although he did have to offer a wealthy tip to the person on the other end of the line to put their names down.
They parked just down the road because Sheldon wanted to walk her up so that he could let her guess which restaurant that they would be going to.
They walked for about 5 minutes and penny was starting to get anxious. The houses around them were huge and fancy. She kept asking 'is this it?' during the time span and Sheldon just kept shaking his head with an emotionless face. He was struggling to keep his face impassive because she was acting so endearing.
They we getting closer to their destination and finally Sheldon stopped abruptly. She looked to her right and she was frozen in place.
''21 Ocean Seafront? This can't be the place. The food cost's more than one week of rent.'' Penny said with a dropped jaw as she stared at the beautiful restaurant in front of her.
Sheldon pulled her rigid body to the front door where a doorman opened it for them. He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her into the restaurant. They went to the front desk and he said his name. ''Dr Cooper'' he said in his usual formal tone.
The women at the desk was the same one from the phone call, she escorted them to their table for two and placed their menus in front of the chairs, ''a waiter will arrive in just a moment for you Dr Cooper'' and left so that they could get settled.
Sheldon took penny's chair out for her and pushed it in for her as she sat down. He then travelled with grace to his chair and took a seat.
''wow'' penny was speechless. During the whole entrance she was too gob smacked to even notice that they had reached their seats.
They were given the last table at the back right hand corner next to the window. The view was exceptional. The wide windows framed the view of the Newport Beach pier which was opposite the restaurant. The late evening sunset caused a pinkie-orangey ambiance which was romantic and relaxing. The quiet slow piano music in the background only added to the wonderful scenery.
She looked over to Sheldon across the table in awe. ''How on earth did you get a reservation for two at this place? It's beautiful''.
Sheldon straightened his back with his usual pride and answered ''Penny I have working knowledge of everything in the universe, I think I can manage to bribe a lesser mind to give a future noble price winner and a new movie star the last window table in a high standard restaurant''. He smiled and reached for her hand.
He was his usual arrogant self but he said it with love just for her. She was thrilled with his behaviour but she was just waiting for the waiter or waitress to be scared away when he places his order.
The waiter came over as if she had called him. The middle-aged gentleman was looking at their clothes silently judging them. She didn't even think to change her clothes when they left so she was still wearing her green v-neck and tight skinny jeans with flats on. Sheldon was wearing his favourite flash t-shirt with a light blue under shirt which stopped at his elbows and charcoal grey slacks. He didn't seem to notice the odd look from the waiter because he too concentrated on looking at the menu so she wouldn't mention it yet.
As usual Sheldon asked for a complicated meal with exact instructions. They both got the Prime Bone-in Delmonico; medium rare apart from Sheldon's added quirks which made the waiter stumble a bit. Other than that he did a job and got everything right when their meals came to their table 35 minutes later. Sheldon was happy so he didn't make any further comments, just a formal nod and the waiter was on his way to the next table.
''Sheldon this all lovely but you could have given me 30 minutes to go home and change. I look like a slob and this is the fanciest place that I have ever been to. The waiter was judging us and I'm sure so are the posh snooty pansies around us'' she leaned forward and whispered to him from across the table.
Sheldon looked at her and tilted his head to the side with a look that said that he wasn't bothered at all. ''Penny, does it look like I care what all of these 'snooty pansies' (using finger quotations) think of what we look like? None of them have solved the mysteries of the universe or co-starred in a movie so they don't have the right to judge us. Just ignore them and enjoy this wonderful evening.'' He finished and looked down at his food. He spared her a quick glanced and she appeared to have relaxed a bit. ''and you could have come here in your pyjamas and you still would have of looked beautiful…now eat your steak and tell me about your movie''. He concluded and bowed his head in embarrassment with a slight blush.
Penny's eyebrow shot up and grinned at him in surprise and picked up her utensils and got stuck into her food. They talked throughout the meal about penny's time filming the movie and what it was like to be in a real movie with well know cast members. She gave a brief summary of her character and what she does. Telling him that she is the daughter of Liam Neeson and they travel around the world killing zombies in search for other survivors and a cure. Her character has a love interest with Andrew Garfield's character after they rescue the group of survivors that he was travelling with. She was trying to not give too much away but seeing his face listening intently just made her blab for longer.
She told him why she didn't tell him or the guys and about the reasons for hiding away from them for the past few weeks. If she wasn't so good at reading people she would have missed the flicker of hurt that flashed past his eyes. She reached across the table and took his hand and offered a light squeeze and a apologetic smile. She was prepared for a pouty physicist but she was pleasantly surprised when he shook it off and brought humour back to the table.
''Just for not telling me sooner, I'm going to tell you all about my discovery in string theory and you are going to have to listen intently, not complain and endure the next 30 minutes of torture.'' He gave her a smirk and an evil look through his lashes. She had to admit that she liked cheeky Sheldon.
''You under estimate how much I am going to enjoy listening to this Moonpie'' she smirked back at him with a flirtatious voice.
''we will see'' he said slowly with an amused smile. ''and only mewmaw calls me Moonpie'' he admonished her half-heartedly with a hint of exasperation. She knows this already and he knew she would never stop calling him that. He could never admit that a small part of him liked the way she called him Moonpie. Plus he had already started to tell her to stop and if he stopped telling her, she would win.
He jumps into conversation about everything that he has been working on for last 3 weeks. He knows that he is speaking too fast but he feels like he is winning when she can't keep up and just gapes at him. He speed talks in great detail about the fine little breakthroughs that ended in him proving that string theory exists. He didn't tell her that she was a big part in his discover, maybe at a later date.
Penny just nodded continuously and gaped at him. She spared tiny glances at the people around them. The snooty pansies were doing the same thing that she was. She laughed softy and but continued to listen. Whilst he talks, she noticed how much joy and enthusiasm that he spoke with. She could feel him rubbing off on her and she was inspired by this man. She was really getting into the conversation adding her praise whenever he paused for air.
As the night was rolling to an end, they both couldn't believe how much fun they were having. Penny definitely believes that she is banded from this place for laughing so hard and disturbing the other occupants but didn't care. She took Sheldon advice and decided not to notice them. Sheldon didn't usually like social events but he would definitely endure this again if it made him feels this way. This has been the perfect evening and wouldn't have been happier with anyone other than penny to share it with him.
The check finally arrived penny reached into her bag for her purse whilst Sheldon picked up the check. He spared her a glance and froze. He burrowed his eye brows in confusion and tilted his head to give her a questionable look. She caught his eye and they just stared at each other, frozen. After a few Mississippi's, penny still didn't understand why he was staring at her with that facial expression.
''Penny, what are doing?'' Sheldon asked with a hint of admonishment.
''paying for my half'' she stated simply with innocence and shrugging her shoulders. She wasn't completely sure why he would ask. This Sheldon cooper, he doesn't understand this type of social convention. Does he?
''Penny, Penny, Penny.'' He shakes his head with derision. ''I asked you to accompany me to diner this evening; therefore it is my responsibility to pay for the meal. I know that you have you independence and women equality feelings and would like to pay for yourself but this is my treat and so I am paying. And I am fully aware that you can afford your own meal but I asked you out on this date and in it is a social convention that the male role pays for his date.'' Sheldon states in matter-of-fact. He looks her expectantly waiting for to put her purse away.
After a few seconds she still hadn't moved. He raised an eye-brow, daring her to try and deny him. She slowly placed her purse back into her bag with an amused smile.
So he does understand this type of social convention. She silently jumps up and down in her head clapping her hands together. Mary cooper raised this Texan well.
''That's very sweet of you honey, thank you''
''You are very much welcome Penelope''
He doesn't let her see the cost of the meals and she is quite relieved. She doesn't want to know how much he is spending on her tonight. Thai food is fine but a 50 dollar steak is just too much and she is not used to it. It makes her feel even worse. She noted that she needs to plan something special for him to make up for it at a later date.
Seeing her facial expression, Sheldon just shakes his in amusement with small smirk. He gets up from his chair and walks over to her to pull out her chair as they get ready to leave.
They walk back to the car hand in hand and then make their way back home. The car journey is filled with a comfortable silence. Both of them relaxed in their seats smiling and lost in thought.
The perfect gentleman that Sheldon is opened the door to the lobby and holds it for her as she ducks under his arm and gives him a quiet thanks and a smile. She then takes his hand without him even flinching and they head for the stairwell.
When they reach the fourth floor their phones start buzzing. Sheldon looks to her and ask politely to penny, ''Do you wish to join me whilst we discover who is trying to get our attention?'' as he puts his key in the door to 4A.
''sure, we could watch a movie if you want to stay up a bit longer?''
''certainly'' Sheldon replies as he hold the door open to her and places his hand on the small of her back and smiles down at her.
She smiles back at him and heads for the coach and takes a seat in 'her' spot in the middle cushion. She then pulls her phone out of her pocket to check her messages. They are all from the boys. And there is a lot of missed call and texts.
''Hey Sheldon, do you have loads of messages from the guys?'' she looks up to him standing in the kitchen putting water in the kettle and already scrolling through his phone.
''Dear lord, Dr Gablehauser spreads the word around fast.'' Sheldon speaks mainly to himself in exasperation. ''It appears that Leonard, Raj and Howard are returning early from Las Vegas to celebrate my findings or to just question and irritate me. I was looking forward to having a peaceful evening and not be bombarded by questions. After having over used my brain for nearly 31 years I would have thought that my mother's deity would have given me this one request.'' He looks down and sighs in defeat and disappointment. His shakes his head and takes three strides to the coach and hands penny her cup of tea and sits down in his spot with his.
''thanks'' she looks at him and instantly feels sorry for his big beautiful brain for not catching a break. She's pleading inside that he doesn't want her to go. After all he did say he wanted a quiet evening.
Her thoughts are swiped away as she feels his arm swing over her shoulder and pulls her to his side. They get comfortable and Sheldon picks up the TV remote to press play on the DVD player that still has the star trek disc inside.
''fascinating'' Sheldon mutters to himself as they cuddle on the couch with their cups of tea.
''what is it sweetie?'' she peeks up at him.
''once again I was wrong.'' He looks down at her leaning against his chest. ''First kissing and now cuddling…they are both very appealing and comforting activities in which I used to find the complete opposite. I have always believed them to be disgusting and infectious…well I guess I could call it infectious'' Sheldon mused ''I could definitely feel accustomed to this''.
''Awww honey, you're so adorable sometimes.'' Penny cooes at him in a baby voice and smirks; fighting the urge to tease him further by pinching his cheek.
''Yes well…soon this perfect evening will be disturbed by sexual innuendoes and crude remarks to your person from Howard, Raj will undoubtedly cry and Leonard whining about why you have been ignoring him. This comfortable and peaceful end to our day will be discarded into minuscule pieces. Leonard has been moping for weeks and whining about your lack of appearances to our usual schedule. Then again I suppose your presence will prevent Raj from making emotional responses and moping about his loneliness'' cue Sheldon's breathy laugh.
She just leans out by pushing a hand off on his chest and looks at him in the eye with an amused smirk. ''Sheldon Lee Cooper, are you jealous?''
He stutters his protest but it's too late. Penny already ready knows that she is right. ''Moonpie wants me all to himself. Moonpie wants me all to himself.'' She playfully sings to him whilst slowly leaning up to give him a sweet kiss.
Sheldon sits there and pouts whilst taking another sip from his tea; purposefully trying to hide a smile that is escaping.
She can see the twinkle in his eyes; she knows that he is enjoying himself. She suddenly feels like a teenager with a crush and she is in a fit of giddy excitement. She takes his cup from his hands and laughs when she finds him smiling. He is adorable. She lunges up and captures his lips again. He sighs in defeat and submits to the kiss.
''What the FRAK?!'' Leonard screeches from the doorway. Dropping his belonging and starring with anger at the couple on the couch.
oooohhh, snap! they guys are back! next chapter will be up tomorrow morning around the same time. you will all find out what happened on the guys journey to Las Vegas. Do they even reach Las Vegas?