Sadly, I don't own The Big Bang Theory

Part 1 - 1800s England

He stared out at the horizon, feeling the cool ocean air against his face. How he loved the vast and open sea; it was a thrill to sail the seven seas with his band of pirates.

"Captain Cooper." A voiced spoke up, causing him to turn around.

"Aye Hofstadter. Are we on course as expected?"

"Of course. We'll arrive at the port before sunset." Leonard replied. "I could use a drink at a tavern since Raj drank all the rum."

Sheldon nodded. "It's unfortunate, that man is like a bottomless pit. Luckily, he isn't when it comes to food or we would perish from starvation."

"I'm tired of this boring life." A blonde woman sighed under her white parasol dressed in a matching gown. "Bernadette don't you wish that there was a life out there filled with adventure beyond the ocean? An undiscovered land filled with mysterious things that one can't even imagine?"

The short woman next to her was dressed in a blue one with a matching parasol as well and laughed. "Penelope, is this about your betrothment to Kurt?"

She groaned, he was a commander for his Majesty's vessel and would often be away; not exactly her idea of a good husband since he was never around. Not to mention he was as dumb as a brass paperweight.

"Don't remind me. I wish to change the subject. Did you hear rumors about a unknown ship coming to port this evening?"

Bernadette shook her head as they turned left toward their home. She was adopted by Penny's father and recently departed mother after she had lost them in a fire. They grew up together since they were five and had already considered themselves as sisters. "I haven't and besides you're more interested in those things than me."

"True but I do hope it's a pirate ship. I find their way of life so carefree: they can do whatever they want and go wherever the current takes them." Penny said excitedly with a gleam in her eyes that her best friend immediately recognized.

They walked into a generous Victorian house and her smile faded when she saw Kurt conversing with her father, still clad in his uniform which meant that he had returned not too long ago. He flashed her a smile before walking toward her and enveloping her in hug.

"I missed you Penelope." He told her but she wasn't convinced. Although her father deemed him an admirable man, he was unfaithful and she smelled perfume from his jacket. No doubt he visited his old girlfriend Alicia before he came here.

"That's nice." Penny lied when he finally let go of her. She turned to Bernadette and made a disgusted expression causing her to stifle a laugh.

"Penelope, why don't we dine with Kurt tonight?" Her father asked, patting him on the shoulder after walking over to them.

"Mr. Price, I don't want to impose on a family dinner."

He let out a chuckle. "Nonsense, you are to be married into our family so I already consider you my son and I told you to call me Wyatt. You are far too modest for your own good."

Bernadette rolled her eyes at this and Penny made a quiet gagging sound before her father turned his head around to see what the sound was.

"Rum, music and big bosomed women?" Raj asked excitedly, walking behind Sheldon and Leonard as they descended from the ship.

"I honestly urge you to abstain from any alcohol for the remainder of our journey." Sheldon warned as a few crew mates tied the ship to the port. "Don't you think you have enough of it day after day?"

"Hey, I don't see you nagging Howard about his drinking!" He defended, earning a look from his captain and said man.

"That's because he drinks in moderation unlike you. Remember what happened nearly a month ago?" Leonard spoke up, turning to look at Raj. "You were so drunk you wanted to jump off the ship into shark infested waters. If Sheldon didn't tie you to the mast you would have been killed."

He glared and sighed audibly. "Fine, but you know that if I don't have some alcohol I can't talk to women."

"There are no women on the ship. All of the crew members are male." Howard said in disbelief and with a hint of disappointment.

"What if we run into a beautiful woman and I can't even introduce myself?"

"In the middle of the ocean?" Sheldon asked with condensation. "I hardly doubt that."

"Maybe a mermaid might appear." Leonard mused, causing Raj to scoff.

"That's just stories told by horny men at sea. Even I know that's impossible."

They walked toward the middle of the city before Sheldon turned around to face his crew. Including Howard, Leonard and Raj there were seven more men; during the vicious storm they had lost the majority of crew members to the ocean.

"Alright men, enjoy yourselves but I expect each of you to report back to the ship. If you're able to pillage some valuables by all means do. Understood?"

"Yes Captain Cooper!" They answered in unison.

"And try scouting some new crew members who are eager to set sail. That will be all."

"Penelope, you can't do this!" Bernadette whispered as she watched her rummage through the bottom of her drawers. Penny pulled out a pair of brown pants and a cream colored shirt that she had secretly bought months ago when her father had announced that she was to be married to Kurt.

"I don't want to live my life how my father wishes." She said calmly, walking behind the dividers near her closet to change.

"I agree with you but running away is not the answer. Try telling father that everything you said about Kurt was the truth; I'll help you to convince him. Maybe he'll believe us this time." Bernadette pleaded but knew it wouldn't do any good. Once Penny had her mind set on something she was determined to see it through.

"I've talked and talked but nothing is getting through to him."

The short woman sighed. "So you'll live your life as a man?"

Penny walked out from the divider and toward her mirror. "Not forever. So, do I look convincing enough?"

"You have no facial hair."

"Pretend that I shaved." She countered, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. Many men had long hair so at least she didn't have to sacrifice her golden locks. Penny placed a black Scallywag hat atop her head and turned to look at her sister.

"A man couldn't possible shave that well, there is always stubble left behind." Bernadette replied, clearly upset about this. "At least you concealed your breasts but you look like a feminine man. Maybe they'll think you prefer men and you won't be found out."

Penny's face lit up as she started packing a few more pants and shirts. She managed to squeeze in her favorite emerald gown and a corset into the bag before it barely closed. "That would be so helpful for me."

"Can't you reconsider?" Bernadette asked again as Penny took out a sword from under her bed. She unsheathed it briefly as the blade gleamed from the moonlight pouring into the room.

"I really want to stay here with you and if Kurt was out of the picture than I would. Besides I want to see the world; I can't stay in London forever."

She walked over to Penny and hugged her. "Please come back safely and take care of yourself. If something were to happen to you-"

"Don't worry and I'll write as often as I can." Penny reassured her before breaking the embrace. "Tell father that I can't marry Kurt and that I want to see the world."

She nodded and Penny opened the window and jumped out. Bernadette watched her wave to her and disappeared into the darkness.

Penny walked through the streets of London toward the port, pulling the hat father down her face when she heard a sea shanty being sung by three men and one that clearly wasn't enjoying it. Hiding behind a nearby building she watched them in secret.

"...Blow the man down. If you give me some whiskey-"

"Alright you've had enough alcohol and stop that singing!" The taller one yelled at them but they ignored him and kept going from where he cut them off.

She watched the darker one stumble onto the shortest one and they fell to the ground with a loud thud. The tall man pinched the bridge of his nose and motioned to the one with glasses to pick them both up.

"Why me?" He whined, slurring his words a bit.

"Because I am your captain. Now get moving, we need to return to the ship."

She grinned at her fortune! All she need to do was be recruited and goodbye London, hello freedom. Penny watched the three stagger behind their captain and she followed closely behind.

It didn't take long to reach the port and she stared in awe at their ship. It was magnificent and greatly taken care off unlike the others that roll in, the captain must really be a perfectionist or adore the ship far too much. They walked up and a ramp was lowered by a crew member that either stayed behind or came back earlier.

Penny followed them and noticed that another man was close behind her. He had curly brown hair and was very skinny, he didn't look strong enough to be a member of the crew but who was she judging.

"Are you lost?" He asked her, his black eyes focused on her. "Or are you hoping to be recruited?"

She cleared her throat and tried to deepen her voice. "I wish to be recruited, my name is Pen- Peter."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Stuart. We will be sailing once everyone comes back but I guess you can come up and have a word with the captain." He offered and she followed him onto the ship.

She stared at the deck; it was cleaner than her bedroom floor! He must really demand a lot out of them. She watched Stuart walk up a few steps to the captain's quarters and knock on the door.

"Come in." They heard muffled voice and he opened the door, causing the man to look up from his desk. "You're disrupting my reading. Is this of importance?"

"Captain Cooper, this man wants to join our crew."

Penny watched as he looked at her and stood up from his chair, walking over to them. "Not as strong as I had hoped for but then again I did let you join Stuart. You may leave now to begin your duties."

He remained silent and left, closing the door behind him. She looked back at the captain and their eyes locked briefly before he placed his hands behind his back. "Have you sailed before?"

Penny shook her head as she observed the room. It was a decent size with a dining table, desk, two chairs and a bed in the corner. "I haven't."

"I see; a novice then. Well you can always learn as you have the brain capacity to do so." Sheldon replied and his gaze moved to the sword on her hip. "Is that just for decoration?"

"I have been trained since I was young by my father." She answered truthfully. It was something her father wanted to teach his son but since he got a girl instead he had to make do with her. It was fun and she enjoyed every lesson.

"A skilled swordsman then? Excellent, if we are to be attacked by the Navy or other pirate ships." He mused, earning a surprised look from her.

"This is a pirate ship?"

Sheldon raised his eyebrow. "Indeed. Is this a hindrance?"

Penny shook her head and stared at his clothing, he was dressed like a common sailor among a vessel as were his men. "Not at all but why are the sails white and not black? This is very odd for buccaneers is it not?"

He chuckled at this and faced her. "To avoid suspicion of course. One does not publicize that they are pirates for fear of prison or being hanged. This is essentially why other knaves have been captured by now and one must blend in with clothing as well."

She gave it a thought and concluded that he was right; it was foolish to proclaim that you were a pirate.

"I trust that this isn't a problem for you-"

"Peter. Peter Williams." Penny introduced herself, earning a smile from him.

"Then welcome aboard. Report to first mate Leonard that Captain Sheldon Cooper has allowed you to join. He'll assign you work and show you where you will be living. You are dismissed." Sheldon told her and motioned with his hand for her to leave.

Part 2 coming soon!