A/N Sorry for any inaccuracies incorrect terminology for back muscles and anything Sheldon may have been writing at this point in the timeline. Again this is very Penny x Sheldon so if you don't like the pairing then please don't read and then complain about it.

The Massage experiment

"What's wrong Sheldon?"

The physicist stopped rolling his shoulders and fixed Penny with a piercing stare.

"Well if you must know I have strained my Trapezius because I was typing up my latest discoveries on quantum field theory in D-dimensional space."

Penny blinked at him, then predictably raised her eyebrows in the standard, 'Really Sheldon?' expression.

The scientist sighed. "I have a stiff back," he clarified, comprehension dawning on his neighbour's face and she took another sip of wine.

How they had ended up alone together on Halo night with a bottle of wine was a complete mystery to him. He hadn't touched the stuff of course but that hadn't perturbed Penny who was happily working her way through the bottle. Annoyingly her game play was only improving with the added alcohol. He was also trying very hard not to think about the last time they were alone. It was supposed to be forgotten but clearly with an eidetic memory that was easier said than done. Besides he was still faintly curious. Kissing was clearly a very tricky business and with most experiments involving a fellow human he supposed that a consent form of some description was required. He would draft one in the morning.

"Maybe you should get a massage," Penny stated, abandoning the controller and flopping back on the sofa. Sheldon smiled, that smug one where he felt he was about to divulge a secret that he had recently discovered and no one else knew about.

"Amy taught me some moves," the added emphasis on moves indicated how cool it was, and then the smiled faded, "but I can't reach."

Penny's mouth opened and her response tumbled out before she could stop it.

"I could give you one."

Damn the wine.

Sheldon pulled a face, "No. No, I barely tolerated giving myself one."

"Awww, c'mon Sheldon. I'm good at massages." Shut up! "Think of it as an experiment." What are you saying you crazy woman?

Sheldon looked dubious.

"No oils?"

"I promise I won't touch you with the icky oils."

He pondered this, "and I can keep my shirt on?"

"If that's what you'd like."

He mulled this over further.

"Then I will tolerate your attempt at massage, but rest assured I will be judging your attempts every step of the way."

Penny gave a sarcastic smile. "Oh goodie."

Whatever fresh hell she'd just created for herself she thoroughly deserved it. She chastised every possible thought as she moved to stand behind him. Had that kissing business not taught her anything? Sheldon was a very, very bad target for any and all romantic attachments. He didn't understand them and wasn't interested. He'd said he liked the kiss but had made no further movements and she supposed that he meant he had liked it in an objective way like, "I like Thai food."

She realised she had started to massage automatically and Sheldon was making small noises of appreciation.

"Oh Penny," he inhaled sharply, "you are really very, very good at this…I under – oh – estimated you…yes…there!"

She gulped. Damn it all! Her stomach was very tight and she was deriving way too much pleasure from this.

"It would feel even nicer if your shirt wasn't in the way."

Curse it! She should have just brought duct tape with her…or left the wine at home.

Beneath her hands Sheldon went very, very still. She wondered if the suggestion had broken him…she'd have to ring his mother…and explain this. Awkward. Penny was about to reach for the phone when he spoke, so quietly she barely heard him.

"All right," and the shirt was up and over his head before she had time to blink.

Now she was staring at his smooth, pale skin and trying to summon the courage to finish what she started.

"Erm…Sheldon…?" her voice came out as a squeak.

The physicist made a half tut. "Penny – are you backing out of this now?" He twisted his head so he could look at her in a disapproving way.

Penny stuttered a half-baked sentence about tired and wine and Sheldon hating people touching him.

He merely shrugged.

"It's an experiment."

Penny shut her eyes and drew on every imaginary character she had ever played online, where she had done what she wanted because she was strong and brave.

"Fine," came the sulky mutter as she opened her eyes and placed her hands on Sheldon's shoulders. A perceptible shiver ran over him.

"What's wrong sweetie? My hands too cold?" Concern laced her words as a small frown creased her forehead. As much as she didn't really want to do this anymore, the prospect that she was the first non-family member to touch him like this, that he trusted her to do so, made her feel warm and light inside. She was determined to do it right.

"No…no…" came back a very hurried, almost breathless reply. "They are at the optimum temperature…" he audibly swallowed, "…and soft…"

Penny bit back a smile that was sneaking onto her face. Bless, he was freaking out.

"Its okay Sheldon," she crooned soothingly, "just relax and tell me when you want me to stop." She almost made a quip about having a safe word but bit her tongue just in time. She really didn't want to have to explain that.

The physicist gave a jerky nod and Penny proceeded to gently massage over his shoulders and back. She watched her fingers working; concentrated on making sure she didn't hurt him, making sure the pressure was just right. After a little while though Sheldon's verbal response began to filter through. At first it was just the standard 'Hmmmm' noises of appreciation… and then her name, just her name, whispered repeatedly and breathlessly. Penny gave a small gasp in reaction as her mind jumped somewhere it really, really, wasn't supposed to go – nor had any right to and she bit her lip, forcing the thoughts away.

"Sheldon?" she murmured weakly, her own breath sounding harsh.

"Yes?" came the breathless response.

Her hands stopped massaging and she rested them lightly on his shoulders. He was waiting for her question but she didn't really have one. Slowly her fingers brushed over his skin, gliding over his shoulders, down his arms and back up again.

She could feel his own question forming, waited for him to say it, to complain that this wasn't a standard massage move. Yet he said nothing and in a glance she realised he'd shut his eyes.

'Where are you going with this Penelope?' her mind accused but she ignored it and, dipping her head, pressed a feather light kiss to the nape of his neck.

He gave a gasp but remained stationary. Running her fingers over again, she pressed her lips once more to his skin, lingered there, and savoured how smooth it was…

Sheldon exploded up out of his seat gasping, "Stop, stop."

Penny kicked herself for being such an idiot to upset him.

"Sheldon, I'm sorry! I …"

She paused mid-apology as he spun to face her and she saw the expression on his face. He wasn't upset because she'd disgusted him or because she'd offended his personal boundaries. Quite the opposite. He was freaking out because he was enjoying it.

"I…I need…to…to…" he pointed vaguely behind him, off to his room, "bed… tired…" and then he hurried out of the room.

Penny blinked and her mouth formed her most unimpressed look. "Smooth Penny," she muttered and switched off Halo. Sighing she deposited the glasses in the sink, and holding the neck of the bottle, turned to the door.

"Penny." His voice halted her as she rested her hand on the handle.

"Yes sweetie?" she smiled reassuringly as the physicist approached her, now in bathrobe and pyjamas. 'Thank goodness he's still talking to me,' came her mental sigh of relief.

Sheldon looked slightly nervous but determinedly walked forward and wrapped his arms around her in a semi-awkward hug. With a smile Penny moved her arms so they were returning the hug.

After a moment Sheldon drew back and Penny let him.

"What was that Sheldon?"

He looked at her with his usual aloof disdain. "I would have thought you of all people would recognise an embrace Penny." She continued to give him her best, you-know-what-I-mean look until he caved. "It was a customary good night gesture between friends," he clarified. Penny was still processing the use of the word friend when he continued. "With the embrace lasting too long to be one of standard friendship and implying that there might be something more to it than that."

She was glad he didn't have super-hearing because her heart rocketed in her chest.

"Did you get that off a website Sheldon?"

"Yes," he replied, proud of himself for his research into this thing that he couldn't quite comprehend but seemed to be happening anyway.

"Well, good night then Sheldon," she smiled and moved to leave.

"Good night Penny," he replied as the door shut.

He was drafting that consent form in the morning.