A/N: Your feedback/follows/favorites bring me so much joy, it's ridiculous. Thanks so much! And I love how you all want me to leave Amy in the dust already, LOL. But there's always a method to my madness, and things will work out how they're supposed to in time. ;) Enjoy chapter 8!

Sheldon found himself alone in his apartment, his back ramrod straight and his hand still on the knob of the front door. On impulse, he peered through the peephole as though something was chasing him. His heart was beating so rapidly that it was causing him to thrum with energy from head to toe. He swallowed once and replayed the events of the last 1 minute and 54 seconds in his head. With the vast and extraordinary abilities of his memory to assist him, he could almost taste the fruity softness of Penny's plump lower lip against his, and he shuddered.

Should he have done that? Sheldon was no stranger to acting on impulse, but when it came to the female gender, he was as clueless as the common man in deciphering their emotions. Penny had looked stunned silly after he released his embrace but he gave her no time to report back her findings on their kiss. He almost floated out of her room and into the hallway, weightless and giddy, but once he was out of her apartment, panic had set in. She was the girlfriend of his best friend, his roommate, and though he was positive social convention would be that he cease his anatomical desires in placing his hands on Penny, Sheldon could not promise that he would stop. And then he thought of Amy.

"Lord," he grumbled to himself, truly disturbed that his own relationship kept taking a backseat to the other issues. Surely, he was in violation of at least three Relationship Agreement standards, being that he hadn't taken a call from Amy or returned a text in the last day and a half, and he was …

"I feel it, too," Sheldon assured her as he released his hold on her body then took a step back.

…doing that with Penny.

He crossed the living room and sunk heavily into his spot. Since the moment he answered Junior and agreed to help him in his endeavor to enact revenge on Marky, Sheldon had been toying with the idea of suspending the Relationship Agreement with Amy Farrah Fowler anyhow. He simply could not accommodate their relationship, even long distance, because his focus was required somewhere else, a situation that Amy could never understand. Sheldon would be delving deep into the world that he had come from, a world where Amy would have no place. The termination of their agreement was already drafted and signed by him, waiting to be sent by mail to Amy, but now his only dilemma was something he had been trying to avoid since before he walked to Penny's apartment that evening. He had been fully prepared to tell her that he was going to control himself from now on and would not involve himself with her in a romantic way. But then she walked towards him in that skirt and placed her hands on him, and he knew that abstaining was no longer an option.

Penny had shattered his shell, the mechanical like structure that kept him intact and at a safe distance from anything that resembled passion or emotion.

But was it fair to end things with Amy and allow himself to get so wrapped up in his blonde-haired neighbor? Amy had truly been his greatest female friend (besides Penny) and someone he saw himself intellectually equal to (still, he had the prodigy advantage, so not quite equal). But even Sheldon knew that this relationship lacked a certain chemical reaction that others refer to as "romance" and "love". That used to be his favorite thing about he and Amy-theirs was a relationship of the mind, after all.

But then he wrapped his arms around Penny and all he wanted—no, craved—was the intense burn of whatever he felt when he was touching her skin.

Even so, this was not the time for such rash decisions, and he got up at once, arrived at his printer and pulled out the three sheets of paper that was the end of his relationship with Amy and placed them in his top drawer to go over at another time. For the first time in his life, he was going to, as Penny liked to put it, "wing it". He smiled at the thought of her, but it was quickly stifled by thoughts of Junior. No matter what he felt for Penny or Amy, there was always the possibility that he might not make it out of this situation with his brother completely unscathed. This was a dangerous business, and he had seen some monstrous things, so he had to focus on the task at hand if he wanted to make it out of this situation alive and intact.

Sheldon picked up his phone and sent a text message to Junior, asking him where he was. He wasn't worried yet, even though Junior had been gone going on six hours. But the last thing he wanted was Junior doing something stupid, like seeking out Marky on his own, and jeopardizing Penny's safety. If Marky saw him or Sheldon's face before Penny got the chance to record him training, Junior's journey to California would be for naught. While he waited for a reply, he walked to the kitchen for a beverage, a small smile on his lips as he allowed his memory to slip back into the recesses of kissing Penny. He sure as shootin' wasn't going to send her off on a date with Kurt without a little something to remember Dr. Sheldon Cooper by.

"Another round, man!" Kurt barked at the server who was picking up the empty bottles from their table. Penny rolled her eyes before smiling apologetically at the waiter. Kurt had always been such an asshole to people who served him drinks or food. Penny shared an unspoken agreement with the waiter, silently giving him the go ahead with her eyes to spit in Kurt's beer before bringing it to him. She looked around the dark bar as the rock music droned on in the background and the riotous laughs and conversations of the other patrons made her head hurt. She truly would have given anything to be back at her apartment, with Sheldon. She couldn't think of anything else, and it dawned on her that perhaps he shouldn't have kissed her before she went on her fake date with Kurt because she was paying no attention to the gorilla in front of her and was instead fixated on the brainy man waiting at home for her.

Perhaps that was his plan all along.

"So you're not seeing anyone right now?" Kurt interrupted her train of thoughts. She focused on him in the dim light, studying his conventionally handsome face that now made her sick to her stomach. He was dressed in a striped polo T-shirt and jeans, everything tight enough to make his muscles bulge and more prominent. She used to pine over this man. Gag.

"No, not seeing anyone," she lied. Suddenly, Penny didn't know what she felt guiltier about—lying that she wasn't dating Leonard, or lying that she wasn't seeing Sheldon, if that's what she could call it. Stick with it, she thought to herself. Remember what you're doing this for. "And you?"

"Oh, I'm seeing everybody, baby," Kurt laughed, taking a long swig from the new beer placed in front of him. "But right now, I'm just looking at you. And I like what I'm seeing." He gave her a long, suggestive once over, stopping at her legs that were crossed. "How about you finish that beer and we take that ass back to my place?"

God, I'm going to be sick. "Kurt," Penny said softly, running her hands slowly over his that were resting on the table top. "I really missed you, baby. But I want to take this slow. Why don't we get to know each other again first?"

Obviously not the answer Kurt was anticipating. "Are you kidding me?" he asked angrily as he ripped his hands from her grasp. His face twisted into a scowl as though he had been duped and Penny began to panic. She didn't want to put him off enough to walk away from her, but she didn't want to end up in bed tonight with the guy just to get some information, so she pulled something out of thin air.

"Kurt, you look so big." She emphasized big by adding a wink and pouting her lips. "Are you still working out?"

"Of course," he said haughtily. He relaxed slightly, though his eyes, still skeptical, had begun to roam around at the other available women in the bar. If Penny didn't get him back on track, he was going to dump her for another bimbo and all would be lost.

"I can tell," she purred. Then she took a long sip of her own beer, slammed it down and jumped up from her seat, planting herself on Kurt's lap.

"What the hell?"

"It used to turn me on so much watching you box, baby," Penny cooed, forcefully planting one of Kurt's large hands on her upper thigh as she drew circles on his chest with her index finger. "Remember how hot it used to get me?"

"I have a punching bag back at my place if you want to see me go at it for a few," Kurt suggested, his eyes becoming lazy from the several beers he had consumed. He nuzzled his face into Penny's neck and she threw her head back and laughed, the fake noise not even sounding real to her. She was an actress, after all. "What do you say?" he asked then licked her earlobe.

"I really liked watching you beat the shit out of other guys," she admitted, allowing him to place wet, sloppy kisses along her jawline. Her gag reflex caused her throat to contract but she swallowed hard and stifled the nausea. "When you used to take them down...I want to see that again."

"Really?" Kurt stopped kissing her skin, his attention suddenly rapt. "You do?"

Penny's heart stopped at the curious look Kurt was giving her. Why had he seemed so shocked, suspicious even? She willed herself to relax and got back into character. "Yeah! It's all I've thought about lately, when I've got you on my mind, that is."

"Huh." Kurt turned his head away from Penny and took another sip of his beer, his expression thoughtful. Just as she thought perhaps it was a lost cause, he peered up at her with a smug grin. "I still train about three times a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Same place."

That was easy, Penny thought, biting back a smile. She watched as Kurt's eyes continued to roam around, finally anchored on a red head standing alone at the bar with an emerald top that swooped down to show her ample chest to anyone that was looking. And Kurt sure was. "Well, I'm definitely going to have to go and see you, then."

"Sure, whatever," he replied in the most non-committal voice he could muster.

Penny rolled her eyes and removed herself from Kurt's lap. "Be right back—I have to go to the little girl's room." She didn't wait for a response before making her way through the crowded bar to the female restroom and ducked inside, bypassing the line that was out the door. When she heard a few crows of protest she held up her hand without turning around and called over her shoulder, "Keep your panties on, sister, I just need to use the mirror." Then she leaned against the wall near the sinks and whipped out her cell phone, immediately pulling up her text thread with Sheldon.

Kurt trains at the same gym on Tues Wed & Fri. Told him I'd go see him.

Almost immediately, Sheldon replied.

- Bravo, Penny. Hopefully you didn't have to resort to any indiscretions that you would regret later in order to obtain this information.

Penny's eyes narrowed at her phone as though it were a tiny Sheldon in her hands.

Hey, mister. I didn't have to disrobe if that's what UR asking. I just pretended 2 B interested…I'm an actress remember? She smirked, then added: Jealous?

- I think you mean Doctor. And please be reasonable, Penny. You're not my girlfriend therefore the only person who should be jealous that you're on a date with another man is Leonard.

Her smile fell immediately, a tiny pang of discomfort causing her stomach to drop. Then her phone buzzed again.

- But if it's not too much to ask, please let the only lips you kiss tonight be mine.

It wasn't exactly romantic, but it was so Sheldon. Far be it from him to admit openly what he felt, and though it was sort of crummy for him to bring up Leonard (something she would have to talk to Sheldon about later), he was jealous. And he was still thinking about kissing her. She sighed and thumbed a reply.

Only if U promise me the same thing. ;)

Then she slipped her cellphone back into her purse before she could get any Sheldon-esque replies (who on earth else would I be kissing at this hour?) and checked her make-up before heading back out into the bar to find Kurt and end the evening. She was suddenly in a hurry to get back to her whack-a-doodle physicist. She had a sudden chill roll through her body, thinking of Sheldon as hers. You're treading on dangerous ground, woman, she thought to herself while scanning the crowd for her meathead ex. The table that had once been occupied by the two of them was now empty. Frowning, she circled the crowd once more before coming back to the empty table, save for the same waiter from earlier standing by her chair looking all sorts of annoyed. When he saw Penny approaching, he handed her a slip of paper.

"Your boyfriend left and I thought you went with him. Here's your tab." Then he turned around and left, barely waiting long enough for Penny to take the receipt from him.

She groaned, "That fucker is not my boyfriend," on deaf ears and slumped into her chair as she stared at the dollar amount on the bill. She craned her neck and gave the crowd a once over, noticing that the buxom redhead from earlier was also gone, too. "Perfect."

"A swing and a miss," an amused drawl said, just above Penny's shoulder.

She whipped her head around so quickly she felt a spasm of her neck muscles, causing her to grimace. "Junior?" she asked, incredulous. She watched as the older Cooper boy yanked out a chair from under the table and sat down, placing his drink full of ice cubes and dark liquid on the table top in front of him. Still rubbing her neck, Penny frowned at the glass. "Aren't you a recovering drug addict-slash-alcoholic?"

"What are you, the good times police?" he cracked, raising his voice so she could hear him over the loud group of women behind them, clinking their beer bottles together and chanting chug! chug! chug! Then he grinned and added, "It's a Mr. Pibb. This bar doesn't have Dr. Pepper." When Penny perched her eyebrow, he shook his head. "I miss Texas." He was dressed in a crisp, buttoned down white-collared shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and a pair of dark denim jeans. With his hair combed neatly back and a subtle spritz of cologne that wafted around every time he moved, George Jr. was not looking too bad. Shaking her head, Penny grabbed her old beer and sipped as he continued. "So, who did Big Guns leave with?"

"What are you doing here?" Penny ignored his question and crossed her arms, suddenly annoyed. How long had he been watching her? Did he follow her here? Follow up questions Penny kept on deck as she waited for Junior to answer.

"I was scouting out gyms in the area, found one I liked that happens to be right across the street from here and sparred for a bit. Then I showered there, changed, and came over here for a spell. Is that alright with you, Miss…what's your last name anyway?" He supplied her with a very boyish grin that Penny was sure killed the ladies, but it just made her irritated.

"Are you sure Sheldon didn't send you here to spy on me?" she ignored his request for an answer again. She wasn't sure if the thought of Sheldon sending Junior as a chaperone for her and Kurt's date aggravated her or intrigued her.

"I haven't talked to Sheldon in hours," Junior admitted, sipping his beverage through a straw.

"You sure there's no whiskey in that Pibb?"

"Cross my heart, hope to die." When Junior said die, his southern twang made it sound like dah, Penny realized as her lips turned up at the corners.

"But you were asking Sheldon for beer last night."

"I still have a drink here and there," Junior said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Just not when I train. And contrary to what Shelly believes, I can still enjoy a beer here and there without turning into George Cooper senior."

Penny was suddenly overcome with a burning curiosity, wanting to ask Junior completely inappropriate questions about their past and their father, questions she was positive Sheldon would never willingly answer since he was so guarded about his past already. Never in a million years would she have imagined he would open up to her as much as he had about his days spotting fights with Junior, but she didn't want to push her luck, so she stayed quiet.

Junior started peeling labels off of the empty bottles of beer that littered the table. "I feel bad, you know. For all of this." His face was suddenly serious as he stared blankly at the table next to them that was still full of buzzed women, shouting out the lyrics to the hip-hop song that boomed over the speakers. "I wish I didn't have to enlist Sheldon's help, but he's the only shot I've got to finish this once and for all." He swirled the ice in his glass.

Penny remained silent, willing Junior to continue with a nod of her head. She was still trying to figure this man out.

"So what's going on between the two of you?" he asked suddenly, his grin returning and Penny felt a blush crawl across her neck.

"I hardly think that's something I want to discuss with you," Penny shouted over the music, feeling herself bristle again.

"Easy, tiger," Junior chuckled. "Never thought I'd meet anyone who would tolerate my crazy ass brother let alone be sweet on him—"

"You know nothing about your brother," Penny heard herself snap. Whoa, where the hell did that come from? Regardless of her developing feelings for Sheldon that she wasn't sure she could put a name on, she still felt extremely defensive of him because he was her friend, first and foremost. She reigned in her sudden anger and softened her tone. "I…I really don't think that I should be discussing this with you." She reached for her clutch that held her credit card so she could pay the damned tab and leave, unwilling to be questioned for another minute.

"I think if you're gonna be stringing along my baby brother, I have the right to discuss it with you."

Penny slowly looked up from her wallet, meeting Junior's eyes. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" she asked slowly.

"I saw how easy it was for you to jump into the arms of that guy Kurt earlier," Junior accused.

"That was an act!" Penny shouted. "It was our idea, for me to get close to Kurt so I could I get you access to Rob-Marky, whatever."

"I'm just saying, you looked pretty comfortable." Another sip from his straw and Junior kept his eyes on Penny as she seethed.

"Oh, I get it," she suddenly laughed without humor. "We're going to size each other up and make some assumptions? Okay, my turn." She licked the fronts of her teeth, adjusting herself so she was leaning forward on the table, her chin sitting on top of her clenched fist. "I know a fuck-up with a good ol' boy swagger when I see one. I was raised with two of them. And you come in here with your sad, sob stories about how you need Sheldon to help you just this 'one last time'," Penny raised her fingers into air quotes and pouted her lip to mock Junior's voice, "but nobody feels sorry for you." Even she was surprised by how quickly the jovial mood of the bar darkened as she watched Junior's smile finally begin to fade, but she pressed on. "Sheldon is a good man. A brilliant, one of a kind, big-hearted man. More importantly, he is not crazy. He is also my best friend, and whatever goes on between us has nothing to do with you, a leech who wants to suddenly play protective big brother to Sheldon who was doing just fine without you." Junior continued to meet her eyes pound for pound, but when he didn't say anything, Penny added, "And one more thing-if he somehow gets hurt on your road to revenge, well…let's just say that they'll never find your body."

Junior finally cracked. He bellowed a laugh so deep, it made his shoulders shake. "Death threats, Penny? Really? How unbecoming." He shook his head as Penny flinched due to how Sheldon-like his last sentence had sounded. Junior was now standing tall as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Sheldon is my little brother, whether I'm around or not. He knows that. Ours is not a regular relationship, but he knows I love him. And with the territory that being a big brother brings, I sometimes have to be an asshole to find out who's really there for him." He threw a wad of money on the table and Penny's eyes widened at the big bills she saw in the bunch that landed on her and Kurt's tab. "And I can see that you truly are. Thank you."

"Hold on," Penny protested, shaking her head. "What the hell was that all about?"

"What can I say?" he asked with a shrug. "I see the way Sheldon looks at you like you're the next coming, and how willingly you put yourself on the line for him. I had to see if you were for real. Can you blame me? I mean, this is Sheldon Cooper we're talking about. Tell me you wouldn't do the same." His grin was crooked and Penny felt herself soften a bit. She knew she would do the same, in fact, she didn't care if Junior was Sheldon's blood—she was still trying to see if he was for real, too.

"Look, I'm not looking to fight with you, Junior," she started, but stopped when he held up his hand to interrupt her.

"I know. Don't mind me; I've got a weird way of going about things. Come on, drinks are on me. Let's go home to Sheldon." He extended his arm and Penny hesitated before taking it and allowed him to lead her out of the crowd and into the heat of the night air. She was still unsure about who Junior really was, but there was something about him saying let's go home to Sheldon that just felt right.

Sheldon had given up on trying to reach Junior and was soon engrossed on online research of MMA fighting and techniques that he had to relearn. Though his mind never forgot anything, there had been leaps and bounds of improvements in the field of mixed-martial arts that he was fascinated by. The rear-naked choke, the triangle submission; Sheldon was practically salivating and lost track of the time. He took notes, barely able to contain his excitement at creating blends of moves that Junior could try out. He sketched out an equation that would tally up the most points for a triangle arm-bar submission when his ears suddenly perked up. His hearing zeroed in on two distinct and familiar voices, and he straightened his back, confused as to why the voices would be coming up the stairs together. He swiveled in his desk chair to face the front door as he heard a key jiggle the lock before it opened up wide.

"Honey, we're home," Junior called and focused on Sheldon sitting in his chair. "Hey there, Shelly."

"Junior," Sheldon nodded a greeting and stared at Penny who was oddly flushed, standing still and holding the emergency key to Sheldon's apartment in her fingers. "Penny."

"Sheldon," she said back, a smile widening her mouth. "It's almost 1 AM," she suddenly gasped. "What are you doing awake?"

Sheldon fought back a frown as he crossed his arms. "Sleep eluded me. Did you have a nice time?" His eyebrows furrowed together and he couldn't help himself, but he looked pointedly at Junior. What on earth were they doing together at this time of night?

"Oh, bad ass," Junior groaned as he looked over Sheldon's shoulder and at the laptop screen that was still playing a video of a match between two professional MMA fighters. "Anderson 'The Spider' Silva. He is the man, my hero even." He looked back at Penny. "Did you know this guy is undefeated in the UFC? Never lost a professional match, ever," he said excitedly before turning back around to face the laptop. While he remained engrossed in the video, Sheldon turned his attention back on Penny. He watched her become shy, so out of character for her that he found himself standing up and crossing the room to her, the urge to be near her out of character for him as well.

"Penny," he said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. He was hardly able to conceive that it was his own hand that was reaching out and touching her willingly. He licked his lips nervously. "I trust that you're alright?" He couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable at the thought of Penny alone with Junior, mostly because he had seen what Junior was capable of with his own two hands. He searched Penny up and down for any sign of distress.

"Of course," she answered quietly, studying his lips with an indecipherable expression. Sheldon nodded and turned back around to address Junior.

"Penny was able to get Kurt to invite her to his gym on Tuesday," he announced, clasping his hands behind his back. "I suggest that tomorrow we begin cross training with the moves I've studied from my research this evening."

"Cool," Junior called, still facing the laptop. He relaxed into Sheldon's desk chair and leaned in closer to the screen.

"So, what are you, Sheldon?" Penny suddenly asked with an amused expression on her face. "Are you like the Mickey to his Rocky?" She made tiny fists and pretended to punch the air.

"Excuse me?" Sheldon was confused. "Mickey? Like Mickey Mouse?"

Junior roared a loud laugh that startled Sheldon and he faced his brother with the same befuddled expression. He heard Penny chuckle, too. "Sheldon!" Junior grabbed his sides and gasped for air between laughs. "She's referring to the movie Rocky. Mickey is the name of Sylvester Stallone's character's trainer."

"Oh," Sheldon said unhappily, looking down his nose at the two laughing buffoons in his living room. "If that was knowledge that possessed the integrity of scientific academia, I surely would have understood the reference."

"I know you would have, sweetie," Penny laughed softly, touching Sheldon's arm.

"Anyway," Sheldon continued, fighting the urge to shake Penny's hand off of his arm. His ego was slightly wounded but he couldn't find it in him to pass on the feel of her fingers brushing against his skin. "No, I'm not Junior's trainer per say. I'm more of a…" Sheldon felt a smile grace his lips. "…choreographer, if you will."

"It's true," Junior nodded, his attention back on the laptop videos. He clicked through a few different clips on the website. "Sheldon's got the whole physics of bare-knuckle fist fighting down." Sheldon's smile widened at the compliment and he nodded at Penny, confirming.

"There's physics involved in fighting?" she asked, her eyebrows pushed together. Sheldon wilted slightly at the question.

"Penny," he said, his voice reaching a higher octave. "Have you learned nothing from me in the last 6 years? Physics is involved in everything. Physics is life. It is sustenance. It is the answer, the meaning. Why, even the ancient Greeks…"

"Yeah," she nodded tiredly. "I know, a warm summer evening in ancient Greece and Fig Newtons and planets and junk." She grinned up at him so sweetly that Sheldon felt his rising frustration slowly melt away, and he settled for a slight shake of his head as he peered down at her face.

He was brilliant man, but she was woman with a mini-skirt still on that the Trojans would go to war for. He chastised himself and brought his hands to his sides. Control yourself, man, he thought angrily. "Really, Penny…"

"So, can I see this cross training and fight choreographing go down myself?" Penny asked Sheldon hopefully.

"You want to watch?" he asked, his voice unsure.

"Yeah! I really did get a kick out of watching matches when I dated Kurt," she said, wringing her hands together. "A small part of me even liked it when they draw a little blood from their noses."

Sheldon lowered his head and tried not to think of the blood he had actually seen pour from eye sockets and ears and mouths years ago in the fights that he witnessed. "I don't see why not. Junior, would it be acceptable for Penny to accompany us to your training?"

"Sure," Junior nodded as he faced the two of them.

"Then it's settled," Sheldon announced then looked at Penny. "Wait, don't you work tomorrow?"

"Early shift, but I get out at 3 PM. I can join you guys afterwards." She smiled up at Sheldon then gave a wave to Junior. "So I'd better go if I'm going to be up in time for my shift. So, uh, see you tomorrow, Junior."

"Later, Penny," he called over his shoulder from the computer.

"You want to…walk me to my door?" Penny asked Sheldon, her voice quiet and shy again. Sheldon found this side of her endearing but slightly unsettling. He had never witnessed her act shy in front of anyone before, and he hadn't the slightest idea how to react now that she was engaging in this behavior with him. But he nodded anyway and accepted her invitation. She extended her hand and Sheldon studied it for a split second before inserting his into her clamped palm. Giving it a small squeeze, she led him from his apartment and down the hall to her front door. She turned her face up and while gazing at his lips again, she detached her hand from his and placed it flat on his abdomen, right on his belly button. He fought the urge to hiss at the sudden rush of blood that was threatening to accumulate in one area of his body due to the sudden feel of her touch. "I missed you tonight, Sheldon." Her voice was suddenly husky and he had difficulty meeting her eyes.

"You were only gone for a few hours," he protested, staring at her bare shoulder. One of her bra straps (black, lacy) had fallen slightly to the left and was peeking out of her top. He longed to put it back in place so that it wouldn't tease him so.

"You're saying you didn't miss me?"

"I'm not saying that at all," he answered, his throat suddenly dry and tongue thick. "I always miss you, Penny." He straightened his posture abruptly, alarm crossing his features. Where had that confession come from? "Good Lord, woman," he heard himself groan. "What have you done to me?"

She rubbed his stomach through his two shirts, a playful smile on her mouth. "Sheldon, don't freak out at what I'm about to do, but I've been thinking about this all night."

If your hand is going to continue rubbing me, you'll be the one to freak out at what I'm about to do, he thought miserably. "Okay…" he said aloud. It was pure instinct that when Penny arched her neck and started to reach up towards him, he closed his eyes. His body was anticipating it even though his mind would have never predicted it, and suddenly her lips were on his. His brain was rattling around in his skull, threatening to explode when the feel of Penny's eager tongue lapped at his closed mouth. He allowed her access by parting his lips and gasped when the tip of her tongue ran itself across his. Tremors of warmth began to radiate up and down his legs, centering between his thighs. He knew what was happening to his anatomy right now, but he silently hoped that as the kiss continued Penny would not become aware. Damn his body for betraying his intellect, but soon he felt his hands reach up and grasp Penny's waist, digging his fingers into her hip bones, then roughly pulled her against his body. The friction of her abdomen against his semi-erection nearly made him cry out, and he pushed her tongue back into her mouth with his own. Penny gently nipped on his lip and he groaned, kissing her hungrily.

"Oh, Sheldon," she moaned against his mouth. The sound of her voice, raspy and lined with pleasure, caused Sheldon to pull away. He held her at arm's length, his fingers still grasping her sides. He watched her mouth, swollen and wet, as she apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't," he assured her, squeezing his eyes shut as he focused on getting the blood circulating around his entire body again. When he trusted himself to speak, he opened his eyes and saw Penny looking up at him, biting her lower lip to suppress a smile. "I'm just not…not ready."

"I understand," she said immediately, and Sheldon was grateful. "I'll see you tomorrow after work?"

"Yes," he nodded quickly, finally releasing his hold on her slim waist. "I'll text you the address to the gym when we get there." And with another surge of impulse, he ducked his head down to place a peck on her cheek. "Sleep well, Penny."

"Goodnight, Sheldon."

He watched Penny turn away and tuck herself safely into her apartment, locking the door behind her. Then he headed back to his place, thinking about how careless he had become. He entered his apartment and saw Junior still sitting at his computer. His older brother looked up at Sheldon then shook his head and chuckled. "What?" Sheldon asked, his tone slightly defensive.

"Nothing, little brother," Junior insisted as he stood up. "Well, I'm hitting the sack. You sure it's alright for me to stay here another night?"

"It's fine," Sheldon assured him. "As long as you adhere to the bathroom schedule, I see no reason for you to stay at a hotel." As soon as the words left his mouth, Sheldon felt his body freeze up. He knew he was giving Junior the impression that he was becoming comfortable with him staying there, and that was the last thing he wanted Junior to feel: comfortable. "Besides, you're gone most of the time anyway, and that's how I like it." He waited a beat then added abruptly, "I'm going to bed." He tried not to acknowledge the sudden flash of hurt on Junior's face as he scurried down the hall and into his room. Sheldon informed Junior thusly that this was the last time he would allow him into his life. Why should he be cordial now?

More thinking, he cursed to himself as he ripped off his clothes and pulled on his Sunday night pajamas. Between accommodating Junior, going back and forth on terminating his already lifeless relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler, and making sense of his newly developed feelings for Penny, Sheldon was exhausted. His brain was always on, processing thoughts and data at an endless tempo. But for tonight, as he turned off his bedside lamp and settled beneath his sheets, he allowed himself to flip off the analytical side of his brain and proceeded to focus only on how Penny tasted until he finally fell asleep.

*Note for anyone who actually follows MMA: Anderson "The Spider" Silva recently lost his first professional match in the UFC and as a hardcore fan of his, I'm devastated. But for the sake of this story, we'll pretend he's still the champ. ;)