A/N - hey guys! im so excited about this one! i had fun writing it. it's probably not even that good but i don't care because i think is cute. Write a review if you agree with me...and enjoy!
Chapter 8 – bright lights and adorable giggles
It has been a week since Penny and Sheldon had the best day of their lives. The more time that they spend together the more comfortable they feel with one another. Sheldon had become accustomed to penny's touching and no longer flinches. He presumes that with the prolonged exposure to penny has enabled his body to become immune to her germs. However, he still can't stand to be touched by anyone else and still carries his Purell with him everywhere he goes. Penny always feels honoured whenever Sheldon flinches from other people's accidental grazes. She is the only one who has been able to get him to open up and let hug him. Which makes her feel special.
Leonard has finally stopped grumbling whenever they are in his presence. Penny had to have the talk with him a day after they told everyone because it was getting ridiculous. Her usual 'I'm a person not a toy' conversation with the typical 'you don't own me so get over yourself'. He finally realised that he was being immature, all thanks to Stephanie. She has managed to drag him out of the apartments in the evenings to give them some space. Plus with Leonard hardly ever there, Howard and Raj tend to go to Mrs. Wolowitz's house for brisket. You don't know how much you miss just quiet evenings until they are gone so penny is enjoying the peace.
With everything back to normal and the lack of feuds between Leonard and Sheldon, they move on to greater things together. Penny and Sheldon both have huge things planned for this week. Sheldon finally read those emails on his phone and has since had numerous meetings with president Siebert, Dr Eric Gablehauser and other members of the board to discuss his Nobel price. A few more confirmations have to been made official but his life's goal is looking as it will be his for the taking. The word has already got around but they want details and they aren't giving him a break first before they get the answers.
Penny has been spending her time helping Sheldon plan for upcoming interviews in-between receiving calls from her manager. She has been offered so many different roles that she is struggling to choose out of all the choices that she has been given. Sheldon keeps nudging her in the direction of the sci-fi choices and she has an audition for three different movies on the up and coming week.
The stress has been building for them both but for tonight they can have a break and have a good time. It's Friday and penny is feeling butterflies in her tummy. It's the night of her movie premiere and she is not sure what to expect. Sheldon is going through everything that he expected would happen once he proved string theory and he thought that penny knew what to expect from becoming a star, which is why he is slightly confused.
''Penny, I thought that this was your dream. Didn't you expect to be going to fancy premieres and having your picture taken?'' Sheldon asks as he was attempting to put on his bow tie.
This premiere was going to be pristine with B-listed actors and paparazzi. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get away with his plaid suits. Penny and Sheldon had gone shopping a few days before to buy new clothes for the occasion. Sheldon had bought a black and white tux which he complained that it made him look like a skinny penguin.
''of course I did but now that it's actually happening I'm just a little nervous…'' she looked up at him in the mirror as she re-checked her make-up for the fourth time, ''here let me help you''. Penny turned around and started to fix his bow tie for him.
They have been stood in penny's bathroom for last 15 minutes. Sheldon had come to collect her at her door with his typical nine knocks followed by her name three times. She had opened the door for him and in seconds she was running back into the bathroom again. After entering 4B, Sheldon had followed her inside and they have been double checking their appearance's ever since.
''Sweetie, are you a little bit nervous too?'' Penny asked Sheldon after fixing his bow tie. His hands were shaking but he seemed to calm down a bit after she rested her palm on his chest. His bow tie was now perfect which gave him something less to worry about.
''If you must know, I am rather more anxious about being late'' she knew he was lying because she saw his 'tell-tale' tick in his left eye.
''its ok sweetie, we can be nervous together, and get through this in one piece.'' She patted his chest lightly and left the bathroom with him close behind her.
''Why would we get through this evening in any other number of pieces?'' Sheldon asked with the look of terror on his face and his brow creased in confusion.
''Never mind sweetie, it was just a saying. Now relax. I will never let go of your hand.'' She gives him a reassuring smile and picks up her bag. He instantly calms down which causes penny to think 'so many mood swings tonight'. Then again at least she has someone else to think about and distract herself from her own nerves.
''If I may point out that you look rather exquisite this evening, you have nothing to worry about so… why don't we head on out and give those cameras something beautiful to look at?'' he sheepishly raked his eyes over her appearance and knotted his hands together. His Texas twang escaping towards the end.
She was wearing a new dress that she bought on their shopping trip. It was a long, green dress which was flush with her body to show off her curves. It was an open back dress with thin straps on her shoulders. The green shade matched perfectly with her eye colour and went well with her honey blonde hair which she has styled in loose curls that draped over her shoulders. She looked natural but elegant. Nothing too fancy but she was trying to make a good impression.
''Thank you honey. And may I say that you look very handsome in your tux. You're the cutest penguin that I have ever seen'' she teased him but she wasn't kidding about his appearance. If she wasn't so nervous she would be drooling right now. She actually stopped and starred at him through the mirror whilst she was doing her make-up a few times.
After receiving an adorable blush and a nod, she kissed him on the cheek as he opened the door for her and she soon locked up when they were both in the hall. ''are you ready?'' asked Sheldon and she turned to him.
''one more thing'' she says as she reaches up in her high heels and gently tussles his neatly combed hair. She stands back and checks him out. Now that his baby soft brown hair is slightly sticking up, she is struggling to not pull him back into her apartment and forget about the evening.
He lightly shakes his head and 'tsk' at her. She takes his offered arm and they head down to the lobby.
The film has been given high reviews and is expected to be very popular this evening. After tonight she is going to be seeing a lot more limousines. Yes, that's right. Limousine. They have been provided with personal travel to the premiere and she is so excited for champagne in a moving vehicle.
After Sheldon opens the car door for her she slides in and takes in the smell of clean leather. Sheldon closes the car door behind him after sliding in besides her. She is struggling to keep herself composed. She doesn't want to act like a silly new actress and start squealing in excitement but this is getting too much for her. Instead she grabs hold of Sheldon's hand and squeezed.
The limousine pulls up at the red carpet 20 minutes later and waits for them to exit. She almost screams. She knew that this was going to be a big event but she didn't realise how real this would be. It's like watching in on the TV.
She spares at look at Sheldon and he gently squeezes her hand. ''here we go'' she sequels lightly trying to release some of her excitement and taking a deep breath.
The door swings open and they are hit with flashing lights and people calling her name.
Sheldon steps out first and turns back to her and offers her his hand once more. After she accepts his hand, he helps her out of the vehicle. He then gracefully pulls that hand into the crook of his right elbow and steps forward into the loud noises and flashing lights.
''Penny! Penny!'' people are screaming on either side of the red carpet. ''This way! Look to your left!''. ''who is your date?'' and ''who are you wearing?'' all seeking her attention as bright lights blind her. She has seen celebrities do this often enough so she just smiles at them all and gives them a good pose or two as she stops every so often.
Penny isn't wearing any fancy expensive brands. She hasn't spent any money at all yet really. Although she has paid all of her bills but soon the shock will pass and she will splash out on shoes.
After taking a few more strides, they reach the main entrance to the outside grounds to the El Captain theatre in Hollywood boulevard. They are hit with the roar of two of the biggest crowds that penny has ever seen. Now they are walking forward onto the real paparazzi and reporters section of the red carpet.
Penny looks around and takes in the amount of fans for the movie. She looks to either sides of security barrier and is consumed by fans calling her name and taking photos. She can see people wearing her characters costume and holding memorabilia in the air.
Sheldon looks down to her shocked facial expression and frowns. ''Penny, surely you must have known that this movie would be extremely popular?''.
''I don't know, I have been in my own little world with you lately. I haven't given it much thought. All I know is that me and Liam Neeson kick zombie butt and then me and Andrew Garfield get close and find a cure. Do people really like that stuff?'' penny asks as they make their way over to the groups of cameras.
''Stuff? Penny, right there is two different very popular genres mixed into one. Zombie killing sci-fi and teenage romance in one action packed apocalypse. You of all people must know how much people can become addictive to this genre…you have spent a substantial amount of time with Howard, Leonard, Raj and I…I mean you have seen my living room.'' He whispers in her ear as he stands beside her and poses with his arm wrapped around her back.
''I know that you love all this stuff but I didn't really believe how many there was of you people. I mean look at that crowd'' she whispers back to him and peeks over the tops of the cameras and stares at the mass of fans in disbelief.
Sheldon just shakes his head with amusement and places his hand on the small of her back which was exposed and pulls her closer to him.
People were asking her so many questions that penny couldn't understand what they were because they were all speaking over each other. Sheldon had saved more than once with the help of his Vulcan hearing. He whispers questions that he was able to pull out, in her ear slyly so that she could give some of them answers about the film and her character.
They were reaching the fans section of the red carpet and penny was starting to feel more comfortable. This was the part that she enjoyed the most. She could finally relax a bit and talk to some human beings instead of being blinded by cameras and shouted questions at.
Sheldon let go of her and stood back a few feet away and observed her interactions with the crowd. People began to launch paper, t-shirts, memorabilia and parts of their bodies into her peripheral vision for her to sign. She looked so adorable signing people's autographs and talking to her fans. He felt so out of place here. He didn't want to speak in case he did something wrong. With so many cameras around filming the premiere and the photographers, he didn't want to do something and embarrass penny. This was not his environment so he would just sit back and let her take him along for the ride. And it wasn't all bad. He got to stand by her side and watch her face light up, especially now when she is talking animatedly with the mass of people. This was her environment and he will just let her enjoy it. This for her, is what physics is to him. This for her, is what she is to him.
Yep. He was falling hard for his blonde, bubbly neighbour. Hard and fast.
She was talking to a young brunette when he heard his name and it broke him out of his thought process. She was giggling with them. The brunette said something and he couldn't quite hear it. Then penny turned to him and she had the brightest smile on her face. She was so happy and alive. Then she snickered and covered her mouth with her hand and turned back around.
Sheldon's smile dropped and he frowned at the back of her head. What was she laughing at? That was directed at him, he thought to himself. Two can play at that game.
He stepped forward and stood directly behind her and bent down to whisper in her ear. ''Find something amusing Penelope?'' he challenged as he put his hands on her hips.
A shiver ran down her spine. Sheldon's warm breath tickling her ear and his elegant fingertips lightly grazing her skin can cause that reaction.
She smiled over her shoulder at him without taking her eyes away from the autograph that she was currently signing for the brunette women. ''Not at all sweetie'' she said out loud with an innocent tone.
She was teasing him. Fine, she wants to play dirty. ''oh really?'' he asked her out loud in a menacing slow voice, seeing as she didn't care whether or not her fans heard their conversation.
He used his hands on her hips to tickle her and she erupted in adorable giggles. He couldn't stop the grin from slipping across his face.
''stop it…stop it'' she half-heartedly told him off. She didn't care if anyone saw them acting this way. She loves it when he brings out his cheeky side. This is a perfect place for everyone to see how wonder Dr Sheldon Copper really is.
He kept tickling her ''tell me'' he asked lightly. He couldn't help but smile at the girly giggles and suddenly weak discipline, but he wanted to know and he would keep tickling her until she told him. It is just a happy coincidence that he enjoys the torture process.
''Sheldon…fine…a girl…said that…you looked like…a cute…penguin!'' she gave in and told him between giggles.
He stopped tickling her and moved his hands around her waist and hugged her from behind. He huffed lightly and spoke into her ear, ''I thought you said that I didn't look like penguin''.
''no I told you that you were the cutest penguin that I have ever seen.'' She smiled brightly as she continued to sign more autographs.
He kissed her on the cheek. ''very well'', and slowly released her, ''continue'' he says with a bright smile and steps back to his original position a few feet from her. He caught the awe struck crowd and repeats to himself how pleased he is that he is on this side of the security barrier.
Penny looks up to the next fan and takes in their facial expressions. She probable had the same look on her face a few moments ago. Her face is hurting from the magnitude of her grin that is almost touching her eyes. She listens to their small comments amongst themselves and picks out the odd, 'they are so cute' and the 'that was adorable'.
She finally reached the end of the fans section after switching over to each sides of the red carpet. She took a bit longer than her other cast members because of how talkative she was with her fans. Sheldon had swooped back to her side again to face the next step. They were reaching the cast and crew members photo shoot and she was excited to say hi to everyone. This was the last section outside before they all went inside to watch the first showing of the film.
Sheldon stood to the side with the other cast members dates and family and watched. Penny tried to give her parents enough notice to come tonight but unfortunately not enough. They couldn't get time away fast enough or travel down from Nebraska in time. They told her that they will watch it on TV though. Her sister was a bit annoyed that she would miss out on meeting all the hot young actors but managed to squeeze in small congratulations to her on the phone call.
Penny was having so much fun. She never wanted this feeling to end. Sheldon has made it all the more enjoyable. She was actually surprised that he was coping so well with the big crowds and shaking the odd person's hand.
Penny had finished her photo shoot and they were now making their way into the theatre hand in hand. This was Sheldon's favourite part and he was getting more excited with each step. He was about to watch his girlfriend kick zombie butt with Liam Neeson. He had his big boyish smile on his face as they made their way to their seats. They weren't in Sheldon's 'sweet spot' but they were pretty close so he didn't complain. The lights clicked off and the room went dark as the screen came to life.
Throughout the movie Sheldon held penny's hand and stared intently at the screen. Penny sat next to him and watched to try and read his reactions and every so often she would take small glimpses at the screen. She had already seen most of it but she hadn't seen the finished cut. It was actually surprisingly amazing. The production team had done a really good job putting the film together. She kept getting pulled into the film and forgot to read Sheldon's reaction.
Sheldon was better at this stuff than she was. He could put a movie to shame with just one review. He knew when a film was made well and was high quality or not. So she knew that his reaction was just as good as the official reviews that she couldn't wait until a week to receive. So she sat back and waited for the film to end.
The ending credits rolled down the screen but she still didn't get her reaction from Sheldon. He was a firm believer of sitting through the credit and acknowledging everyone who helped to put the film together. She respected that and if he didn't think a film was worthy then he wouldn't sit through the credits so she takes this as a good sign. But she was getting impatient.
Finally he turned to her with a big grin on his face. He lunged at her and captured her lips and then peppered her face with kisses. He composed himself and told her about all the wonderful things about the film. He told her about the good production points and camera angles, about the high quality acting levels and he told her about her performance.
''Penny I am very proud of you. You performed superbly and your character was refreshing in such a harsh environment. When an apocalypse does surface, you better pull this character out the proverbial bag and fill everyone with hope and protect me from zombies. I am certain that there is an award waiting for just around the corner and greater opportunities to come.'' Sheldon exclaimed to her as they made their way back out of the theatre.
Penny laughed and pulled his arm over her shoulder. ''Wow Sheldon, thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you.''
''Sarcasm?'' Sheldon looked down at her as they exited the main doors.
Penny just laughed again and shook her head, pulled him down and kissed him smack on the lips.
The crowd cheered and they broke apart. Blinking as they adjusted to the bright sun and saw a new crowd of fans all taking photos and screaming penny's name. There were large cameras all capturing their moment together and calling her to look at them.
Sheldon blushed immensely and tried to pull penny around the corner to the end of the red carpet, being as casual as he can. Penny patted his cheek and told him to 'stop being adorable or she would perform public acts of affection again.' which only made him blush more.
Penny decided to skip this after party because the boys at home had already planned a get together at home and her feet were killing her. Also she thought that it was better to leave the night on a high instead of staying and doing something embarrassing in front of famous actors and producers. She would go to the next after party. Sheldon did reassure her that there would be more and she trusted him.
Sheldon pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to their driver as Penny shouted goodbye to her fans. He helped her inside the car and took her back home. Where they would continue their evening with their friends and have a 'real' after party with HALO and Thai food.
adorable shenny moments! i hope you guys liked it. there were times which i thought we boring but i did my best. next chapter will be up tomorrow morning, same time! bye x