Circle the Drain Chapter 4
Penny sat next to Sheldon's bed; she had not left his side since he had first woken up. Penny held Sheldon's hand tightly slowly making little circular movements on the back of it. Nothing was going to move Penny away from Sheldon ever again.
Missy walked in from the corridor. She placed a hand on Penny's shoulder "How you doin', honey?"
Missy's voice was concerned; she knew Penny had not slept since she and the guys had arrived that was two days ago.
"Penny I'll sit with him for a while. You go sleep"
Penny turned her head and looked at Missy "No I need to be here when he wakes up"
The doctors had explained that it would take a little time but Sheldon would recover. Missy looked at Penny's face-there were dark circles under her eyes.
"Could you both please be quiet?"
Penny and Missy looked at the person in the bed
"SHELDON! You're awake!"
"That would seem to be a highly superfluous statement as I've clearly just spoken to you both"
Penny looked at Sheldon open mouthed. Missy was crying and laughing at the same time
"Sheldon's awake and back by the sound of it. I'll go tell Momma and the doctor" Missy could be heard laughing all the way down the corridor. Penny looked at Sheldon, his face pale and weary
"Sheldon, I was so worried about you." Penny's voice was almost a whisper
Sheldon squeezed her hand "I'm sorry, Penny. For everything."
"Oh Sheldon I…" but whatever Penny was about to say was lost in the sound of utter confusion out in the corridor as Missy, Mrs. Cooper and her prayer group plus the doctors tried to come in the door
"Penny, tell them I'm asleep again." a very slight smile crossed Sheldon's face. Penny's heart jumped into her mouth, it was the smile of her old Sheldon. The one she was sure she loved now.
"Sheldon your mom has been waiting to see you" Penny said, smiling. The next two hours were taken up with Mrs. Cooper telling the doctors and anyone else close at hand that Jesus had looked after her boy. Penny just sat next to Sheldon's bed holding his hand. Missy stood in the doorway looking at her twin and she was sure her new sister.
She clapped her hands "Ok people time to go"
Missy started to gently move people out of the room, even the doctors were moved along.
"Shelly, honey, I'm going home for a shower and to change." Missy looked down at Penny, "Tell Penny she needs sleep in a real bed"
"Penny you do look worn out." Penny could hear the concern in Sheldon's voice.
"Hi, Sheldon." Howard and Raj were standing at the door. They wisely had stayed out in the corridor while the prayer meeting was going on.
Howard looked at Penny "So, how's he doing?"
"He, Howard, would be fine if someone would do as I say." Sheldon was looking at Penny.
"Ok Sheldon, we'll compromise"
"Penny, can I have a word /" Howard was nodding to the corridor "Penny, I believe Howard is hoping I won't over hear you." Sheldon smirked.
Out in the corridor Howard and Raj waited for Penny, "Don't close the door" Sheldon ordered.
Penny glanced over her shoulder as she left the room "Ok sweetie" She closed the door after her "Hi guys what's up"
"Penny, now that Sheldon is on the mend, we really need to get back"
Penny looked down at her hands "You're right; you should go".
As Penny looked up, Howard saw she was crying
"Penny, if you need anything…"
"No, guys you've been great. You have lives to get back to". Penny hugged them, kissing both on the cheek.
"How about you Penny?" Raj had whispered in Howard's ear.
Penny lifted her head and wiped her eyes. She smiled at her two friends. "
I'm staying I belong here." Penny looked at the closed door
"We thought so" Penny was sure Raj was about to cry
"You guys need to say goodbye to Sheldon"
As the three friends turned to the door, Penny stopped " Howard where is Leonard?"
Howard looked uneasy, glancing at Raj who shrugged. "He left just after Sheldon woke up. He asked us to phone him at his hotel if there was any news". Penny sat on the end of the bed as the goodbyes were said.
"Thank you both for being here it meant a lot to Penny"
Penny hit Sheldon's foot "What did I tell you?"
Sheldon knew the look Penny was giving him
"It meant a lot to me as…DON'T HUG ME, RAJ!"
Penny smiled as the two friends left. She could hardly keep her eyes open now
"Penny sleep now" Sheldon's voice seemed far away but she obeyed.
As Missy walked into Sheldon's room, she did a double take. Penny was lying in bed next to Sheldon, his arm around her shoulders. Both were fast asleep. Missy sat down next to the bed watching them sleep.
After a night's sleep, Sheldon advised her to have a shower "Penny I do so enjoy your company but you're a walking bio hazard"
"I'm a what now ,Sheldon?"
Missy smiled. Yeah, Sheldon is back
""He's right, "She said, backing up her twin. "You're a little gamey, honey, you need a shower"
"Oh alright"
…
The next two days were like a dream for Penny, due in no small part to Mrs. Cooper threat to the hospital staff of fire and brimstone, Penny was allowed to stay in the room next to Sheldon's.
The hospital psychologist had spoken to Mrs. Cooper, Missy and Penny about Sheldon. Sheldon had been at the first meeting but after Sheldon asked the psychologist "And is this a full time job?" with the famous tilt head grin, his doctor advised just the women should take part.
Mrs Cooper was straight to the point "So what's wrong with my Sheldon?" Dr Grey looked at the three women across from him and smiled. Penny looked at his smile- it was oily and suspicious. She didn't like him.
"You see ladies," Lack of sleep and the worry about Sheldon had made the Cooper women a little antsy
"Just spit it out, doc!"
"Dr Cooper had PTSD"
All three women looked at the doctor, who started glancing at the door.
"In English, please" Penny snapped.
" Post-traumatic stress disorder. It would seem Dr Cooper has been under a great deal of pressure of late ending in an event that became too much for him. His coma was the brain's safety valve." Both Cooper women looked at each other '
"Sheldon's grandma passed away". Mary volunteered. Dr Grey nodded "Yes, that may have triggered it". Penny sighed.
Sheldon was soon starting to regain his strength. The hospital staff now avoided Sheldon's room like the plague. Missy was walking down the corridor to Sheldon's room when she passed a doctor who was muttering under this breath "crazy bastard". Missy smiled -Sheldon was back.
Missy thought she would die laughing at the sight in Sheldon's room. Sheldon was changing into his outdoor clothes with Penny's help
"Look sweetie this would look great with this." Penny was fussing around Sheldon and he was all hands trying to bat her away. Missy stood in the door way
"Boy, the sooner you kids get hitched, the better."
Both Penny and Sheldon looked at one another then suddenly starting laughing "Oh it's been discussed"
Missy hugged her twin. Penny could only watch as they hugged then Missy opened her arms and pulled Penny into the hug.
A day later Sheldon was discharged from hospital.
Sheldon and Penny looked up at the dark night sky as they sat outside his mother's house. Sheldon took hold of Penny's hand.
"Sheldon how are you feeling right this minute. And in English "
"Penny, I feel as if I've woken from a nightmare. Where everything I loved was taken from me"
Penny moved to snuggle closer to Sheldon. "I'm not going anywhere, Sheldon"