Chapter 14

Night fell in Sheldonopolis, but the festivities continued. More and more people filled the square below. Although Sheldon did not partake, with Penny next to him, he couldn't help but feel complete.

"Looks like you'll be alright after all, sweetie." Penny rested her head on his shoulder and smiled. He hadn't bothered to shy away from the gesture, having grown accustomed to the proximity of her body to his.

"Indeed." He inclined his gaze towards the sky, which was now filled with stars. "But I am glad at the knowledge that normalcy has been restored."

She snorted at his prim tone. It was a sure sign he was improving.

"Speaking of normalcy, you'll be able to go back soon!" She laughed and looked up at him, but his blue eyes met her green ones with a blank expression.

"Go back to what?"

"Back to consciousness. When you wake up, you'll be back to reality."

Reality…Back to the mediocre life I had been living. Back to being a nobody.

"I don't want to wake up, Penny." He watched her blink in confusion. Her smile fell, and she moved away to face him fully.

"What are you saying, Sheldon…?"

"Penny, I understand that the commotion outside has caused the audible speaking levels to become compromised." He admonished. "But I'm afraid I cannot say it any louder or clearer. I do not wish to return."

She flinched, and mumbled something as her eyes fell to the floor. Even with his Vulcan hearing, he was unable to catch what she said.

"Come again?"

"I need to know why, Sheldon. Why do you need to stay?" Hey eyes began to fill with tears, and he could not understand. Why does she wish for me to leave?

"I must remain here…" He thought for a moment. Because I am a hero. "Because it is logical. Sheldonopolis needs me, Penny. And to be perfectly honest, I am very happy being here. I am respected, and I have my Nobel Prize…I have purpose…" He ticked away each reason with his long fingers, and with each reason, Penny became more rigid.

"That's all, Sheldon? You want to stay here because you have those things?" Her laugh was hollow, and it chilled him. "What about your work? Your Meemaw? Laundry night? Sorry to break it to you Moon Pie, but…all of this?" She waved a hand at the people below. "It's all a delusion. This isn't reality."

The chill was quickly replaced with pain.

"How can it be a delusion? Penny, right now, you sound no better than Leonard. No better than anyone who's made fun of me and my work." I thought you were different, he thought to himself.

He instantly regretted his words as he watched her slump against the window. He took a step toward her, but she stopped him.

"Penny, if I return to consciousness I stand to lose everything I have ever dreamed of. I stand to lose…you." The last part, he whispered, but Penny's head shot up.

"Sheldon, if you stay here you WILL lose me." She held a hand up. He noticed that it was slightly transparent. "I lied, Sheldon. I'm not a manifestation of your mind. I'm something else. And the more you resist, the more you want to stay trapped…you have to wake up, Sheldon."

She took the pennyblossom out of her hair and placed it on his desk. Without another word, she walked out of his office. Sheldon watched her leave, unsure of the proper protocol to adhere to.

He looked out the window moments later and saw her stumble down the steps and disappear into the sea of people.

"Fine." He said to no one in particular. "The Mayor does not need you."

He reached for the pennyblossom and thought back to when they had been alone outside. She never did tell me what she wanted to talk about…

He grabbed his bag, pinning the flower to the strap, and sought out Howard and Raj, who were flirting with Catwoman in the lobby.

"Howard, Raj, Penny left."

"Dude! Were you two having a lovers spat?" Raj giggled drunkedly.

"No. I might have said something that did not agree with her. Now I am left with a burning question, but as I am not sure of what the social convention is in this situation, I need to hear your input."

Howard groaned and gave him a chastising look.

"Sheldon, I suggest you apologize. Women are so testy like that. One minute they're never gonna talk to you again, but if you chase after them and say you're sorry, they're all over you. Like a kitten." Howard turned back to Catwoman, who tried to scoot him away with her boot.

"That certainly sounds like a plausible plan of action…Alright. Thank you Wolowitz."

He ran down the steps, sure he had seen the direction she had gone in, but the crowd was too thick.

"Excuse me! Excuse me, I'm the Mayor of Sheldonopolis. Has anyone seen Penny?" Someone must have surely seen her…"Please let me through!" He asked every citizen in his sight, but they all answered the same: They had not seen her, nor do they know her.

"That's ludicrous." He muttered to himself. "They should know who Penny is…she helped me save them."

Standing amidst his respected heroes and idols, surrounded by his beloved equations, Sheldon had never felt so alone.

He wandered towards the far end of Sheldon Square and found a secluded fountain. He sat at the edge, and sulked. He had knocked every door, asked every being, but he had been unable to find Penny.

Footsteps echoed and his heart quickened. Penny!

He turned towards the source, but it was not Penny. His breath hitched in his chest.

"Good evening, Mr. Mayor." Spock stopped before him, hands behind his back.

"Good evening Mr. Spock." He blurted out. He cursed himself for being so careless with his manner, but Spock didn't seem to notice. He regarded Sheldon coolly.

"I see that you have sequestered yourself, sir. Why might that be?"

Sheldon hung his head slightly, sighing.

"If you must know…" Sheldon hesitated, but Spock gestured him to proceed. "I have been on the wildest adventure," He explained. "And initially, I had been against my only option for a mental companion, but she had proven to be quite resourceful. Tonight, she voiced her insistence that I 'wake up', but I argued this. Now, I cannot seem to find her. I've inquired numerous persons, but none have been able to point me in the right direction."

"I see. Might I voice an opinion, Mr. Mayor?"

"I suppose you could. Your opinion would certainly be much more enlightening that those of the whimsical ducks."

Spock sat down next to him, looking at Sheldon's reflection in the fountain.

"Perhaps your mental companion was correct in saying that it was time to 'wake up.' After all, would your mind not deteriorate if your physical body was left unattended?"

Sheldon locked eyes with Spock. I hadn't thought of that…But…

"I have friends. They would keep my body safe."

"They would. But your vegetative body, in its depleted condition, is of no use. Thus, you become a burden to them."

Sheldon's frown deepened. "Let's say I accept the logic in your statement. I still don't see how it will help me find Penny."

"If you wish to find her, you simply must remember the purpose of her guidance."

"Well, that's simple. To wake me up." Sheldon scoffed.

"And to teach you embrace the illogical, Mr. Mayor. To follow the heart as opposed to the mind." Spock's stoic expression changed, and his lips turned upwards into a small smile.

In the distance, Sheldon could make out the whistle of a train.

A train? There is no train station in-

Spock calmly stood, ears twitching at the sound. "You get to the train station, Mr. Mayor. Your heart seems as if it does not wish to stay here."

"But, there never was a train station in Sheldonopolis…I never got around to building it!" He sputtered. "And how do I even reach it? I can't drive."

He watched as Spock chuckled. "Then, I suggest you run, Mr. Mayor, lest you never see her again."

The whistle sounded again, and Sheldon followed it. But before he did, he raised a hand in a Vulcan salute. Spock returned it, and waved him off.

Penny…he silently begged. Don't leave me yet…