A/N: Reviews are lovely. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :) Whoo, two updates in one day, yay me. And I know, this chapter is mushy and sensitive but I promise future chapters will be filled with drama.

"MAX! You bloody git, gimme the cereal box!" As usual, Penny was chasing Max around the kitchen table, struggling to convince him to share his beloved Captain Crunch.

"No! Get your own, dammit."

"I would, but you've got the only box you idiot."

"Sucks for you."

Penny glared at him and tackled him to the floor, abruptly ending the dispute. Like every morning, Max quickly surrendered, throwing the box at her.

"Thank you. Ugh."

Max pulled himself to his feet, mumbling a few choice words under his breath.

"I heard that. Watch your language Max."

Penny sat down at the table and leaned back in her chair, shooting Max a cocky grin. She found it hard to believe that she'd already been in New York for over two months. Jude had been right, she'd fit right in. Penny had even canceled her plans to return back to England. New York was her home and she had no intention over ever leaving it.

"Ha ha. Very funny." Max flopped down in the chair next to her and rubbed his eyes, yawning.

"Tired?"

"Mhm."

Penny took a sip of coffee and smirked.

"Yeah. The bird you brought home last night seemed like she'd keep you up."

"She wasn't the reason."

Penny frowned, instantly realizing why he'd been up. His nightmares. Penny was the only person Max had ever told about the nightmares that kept him awake at night. He told Penny everything, things he'd never said to anyone. How he felt before the war, during it, afterwards. The things he saw that still haunted him. And she never seemed to grow tired of hearing it. Penny was always there, holding his hand while he talked, nodding occasionally and offering advice, a sweet smile and if he was lucky, a kiss on the cheek after he'd finished.

"Max.. I.. they're still not any better?"

"Nope."

She leaned over and hugged him tightly. Max wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, feeling instantly comforted. Penny always had that effect on him. She never had to say anything, just a hug and a smile did enough. Max often wondered if his feelings towards her were more than friendly but he highly doubted it. He'd never fallen in love before so he really had no idea what that felt like. He'd always been a womanizer. He enjoyed his lifestyle, having a different woman in his bed every night. It was who he was. Max never wanted to be tied down to just one person. No matter how special Penny was, she still wasn't an exception. She was his friend. Granted, he always felt incredibly tempted to drag her to his room and just bang her but he figured she probably wouldn't like that too much.

After a few moments, Max slowly pulled back from the hug. Penny smiled at the sight of his ever present lopsided grin. It was one of her favorite things about Max.

"Thanks Pen."

"No problem Max." She ruffled his shaggy blonde hair and laughed.

"You need a haircut man."

Max simply shrugged.

"Yeah, well. You may be right."

"So... you're sure you're okay?" Penny chewed on her lip. Ever since Max had told her about his problem with getting a peaceful sleep, she always was concerned about him.

"No. Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

Penny forced a smiled. Don't worry about him? Right, like that was at all possible.

"Alright, if you're sure."

Max was silent for a moment and then nodded.

"I'm sure. But Penny?"

"Hm?"

"Can I..." He paused, trying to word his next sentence correctly.

"Can I sleep with you tonight? I mean, in your room. Just on the floor. In case of... you know. I just.."

Penny placed her finger on his lips, shutting him up.

"Don't strain yourself Max. I know what you mean. And of course you can."

"Thanks."

Max smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"I'm gonna go take a shower."

"Kay. Just leave some hot water this time. I don't appreciate having to take a cold shower."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

As Penny watched him get up from the table and disappear into the bathroom, the familiar feeling of longing washed over her causing her to sigh quietly. Though she'd never admit it to anyone, she was absolutely crazy about Max. Penny knew she'd never be more than a friend to him though, no matter how much she wanted things to change. It hurt her to watch as he snuggled up to one of his shag-and-go women every night, wishing that Max would have his arm wrapped around her and not a babbling blonde idiot. Penny rested her head on the table, mumbling every swear word she could think of. The feelings she got when Max touched her, spoke to her or even looked at her drove her crazy, in a good way of course. All she wanted to do was be with him and hold his hand. The fact that she couldn't really pissed Penny off. When she heard the sound of the shower running, Penny began singing softly, spilling out her feelings, unable to keep them bottled up much longer.

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something,
I think you'll understand.
When I'll say that something
I want to hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand.

Oh please, say to me
You'll let me be your girl
And please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand.
Now let me hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand.

And when I touch you I feel happy inside.
It's such a feeling that my loveI can't hide, I can't hide, I can't hide.

Yeah, you've got that something,
I think you'll understand.
When I'll say that something
I want to hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand.

When she finished, Penny was surprised to find warm tears building in her eyes. Penny rarely cried, especially over a man. She quickly wiped the tears away and leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. She hated Max for making her feel this way but she knew she could no longer doubt her feelings anymore. She'd fallen, hard and fast.

A/N: So obviously, I Want To Hold Your Hand is not my song, and yes, I changed one word. I couldn't really leave, "Let me be your man" in there. Doesn't work, but the rest of the song fit well and I couldn't leave it out. :)