Dropping Off the Edge of the World

Sequel to Is This A Date?

Penny

What in the bloody hell am I doing? I am going to break my best friend if I don't a hold of myself! Sheldon Cooper does not have a deal. He's the most asexual person in the world, and if he had even the tiniest notion that I was lusting after him, he's run for the Hollywood hills! I really screwed myself over when I picked out that suit. Okay. I can do this. I just need to gouge out my eyes, and super glue my hands to my sides. Might take a bit of explaining, but at least Sheldon would be safe.

Sheldon

Apparently momma was right about that temper. And he was fast losing his. Gabelhauser kept trying to pinch Penny's bottom. Leonard was alternately glaring at him and casting lustful glances at Penny. One donor had cornered her and tried to sneak a kiss. Sheldon rubbed at the knot of stress in his neck as he pulled Penny closer to him. They were heading to the dinner now that the presentations were over. He looked down at her with a smile. The dress was gold silk. The neckline had a modest boat cut that fell seamlessly over her curves. The sleeves were three quarter. Most dazzling of all was the back. It didn't have one. She had straightened her hair into a flawless curtain that gave tantalizing glimpses of silky skin when she moved. He was glad she had worn 5 inch heels. It put her at the perfect height for his arms as he guided her around the room.

Penny

She gave Sheldon a grateful smile as he held out her chair for her. He had maneuvered them into a corner. Beside her was Barry Kripke and his date, a shy little thing from the English Department. Miranda? Michelle? Something like that. Beside Sheldon was an older couple who were interested in Sheldon's work. Sheldon's leg brushed against hers as he turned to address the man beside him. Penny grabbed the water goblet and drained it quickly. She caught the small smile Melissa (that's it!) gave her. Melissa leaned a tiny bit closer.

"He's a very handsome man. Have you been together long?"

Penny almost choked, causing Sheldon to glance at her in concern. She waved him back to his conversation and leaned in close to Melissa.

"Oh no! Just friends. I'm…it's just warm in here." Penny fought the blush on her cheeks. Melissa laughed softly.

"If you don't mind me saying so, thou doth protest too much." Melissa looked at Barry softly. "You look at him like I look at Barry."

She wasn't sure why she did it. Maybe the knowing look the young woman had. Maybe because she just had to get it out. She latched onto the woman's wrist and they hurried away to the restrooms. Penny leaned against the door heavily. "Listen, I'm about to overstep the bounds of good taste, but I need your help. Normally, I can handle the way I feel about Sheldon. But tonight I'm having a really hard time keeping control. That damn suit! He shouldn't be allowed to look so hot!" Penny accepted the cool wash cloth Melissa handed her and placed it on her neck. "Sheldon isn't like normal guys. He doesn't do romance. He has no interest in relationships. He's my very best friend and if he thought I was having feelings for him, he would hate me."

Melissa looked skeptical, but she had heard enough about infamous Dr. Cooper to know at least some of what this woman was saying was true. He was well known for his germ phobia and strange quirks. "What can I do?"

Penny sagged with relief. "Just help me stay distracted. If I start flirting or touching, help me stop." There were tears in Penny's eyes. "Seriously. I can't screw up this friendship. I can't lose him just because I'm a big ol' slut."

Melissa nodded with a smile. She liked the woman's honesty. "I can do that. But in return I want a favor.""Anything," Penny said quickly.

Melissa bit her lip shyly. "I really like Barry. I know he and Dr. Cooper are acquaintances. Would you arrange a get together? Barry has never asked me out on a real date, but he might agree to a small party at Sheldon's. They are becoming friends of a sort and then I could be there too and he could see me outside of school."

Penny almost squealed in excitement. She loved match making! Quickly she grabbed a paper towel and wrote her cell number on it. "Call me tomorrow and we'll plan it out!" They smiled widely and made their way back to the table.

Penny almost groaned when Sheldon leaned in close and asked if she was okay.

Sheldon

He felt alarm as Penny and the other girl suddenly rushed off. He relaxed a bit when he saw where they were heading. Barry was looking alarmed as well.

"Coopah, why is Woxanne dwagging off my date?"

Sheldon shook his head. "I have never understood the female prerogative to pair up for the purpose of visiting a bathroom."

Barry nodded in understanding. "I must say, I was surpwised. I thouwght for sure you were gowing to hit someone earwier. You held your temper impwessivewy."

Sheldon nodded wryly. "Penny does bring out the Neanderthal in me.

Barry smiled when he saw Melissa and Penny coming back. "The wight ones do, Coopah."

He stood and held out her chair for her again and noticed the erratic pulse at the throat. He leaned in close to watch it. "Is everything alright, Penny?" He smiled at the way his breath gave her skin goose-bumps. He resumed his seat and turn guileless eyes to her.

He watched her smile softly and then shake her head quickly as if to clear it. "Yes, Sheldon. I'm just a little hungry."

Soon the meal was served and the man beside Sheldon resumed their discussion on his theories. Occasionally he would reach over and place his hand on the back of her chair, or brush his leg against his. He made sure to keep the smug grin off his face. She was reacting well within parameters he anticipated. Then his plan hit a snag.

Kripke's date monopolized Penny. He first noticed when he brushed his hand over her arm, but Penny didn't react because she was listening to the other woman talk. Then when he leaned in close to ask how her meal was, his lips only millimeters from her ear, the other woman tapped Penny's shoulder and asked her about where she was from. Sheldon narrowed his eyes at the interruption but Melissa only smiled benignly.

Just before the meal ended a band began to play. Sheldon excused himself and stood. He turned to Penny and pulled her to her feet. She started to resist, but Sheldon leaned in close. "I think Gabelhauser is on his way over to ask you to dance." Immediately Penny slipped one arm around his neck and allowed him to lead her around the floor. He loved the feel of her in his arms. The heels she wore placed her hips just below his, allowing them to move in harmony. Slowly he maneuvered them out into the lit gardens. They swayed in perfect time for several minutes. As the last notes of the song faded away, Sheldon pulled Penny over to a bench. They sat and looked out over the landscaped lawn. He turned to her, determining now was the perfect time to tell her how he felt.

"Well, well, well. This looks cozy." Sheldon tensed up and looked at Winkle and Leonard. They had obviously followed him and Penny. Penny sighed and laced her fingers into his and squeezed gently.

"Is there something you want?" Sheldon asked neutrally.

Leonard looked angrily between the two of them. Winkle smirked. "No one is fooled by you hiding in the dark. We all know your work is doomed. And I for one intend to have front row seats when you finally fall." Sheldon stood and helped Penny rise. They held their heads high as they brushed past the couple and walked away. A noise like paper tearing and a quick gasp of anger made him turn. Leonard looked shocked. Leslie was gaping at a large rip in her floor length gown. He looked at Penny.

"Oh my," she said innocently. "I am so sorry. If I'd known your dress was so cheaply made, I'd have been more careful where I walked." Then he watched in amazement as Penny grinned her own version of his Joker smirk. "I guess like gown, like girl."

They walked back into the banquet hall and Penny held his arm as they mingled. An hour later Penny tapped him on the arm. He leaned closer, wishing he could just keep going, closing the distance between them completely.

"I have a headache. I think I will find a place to sit for awhile." Sheldon swept his gaze over her carefully. She did look tired and anxious.

Sheldon shook his head. "Let's go home," he said softly. She smiled in relief and they made their goodbyes. Sheldon wondered if maybe there was a god and this god was toying with him. Every move he had planned was a failure. Some one would interrupt them to talk, someone would interrupt them to ask her to dance (she never accepted to his surprise and delight), or something would come up that took precedence.

They climbed the stairs slowly. His hand grazed the small of her back, making her shiver. Once they reached her door, she turned to say goodnight. Before she could say anything, Sheldon's lips were pressed against hers gently. She quickly pulled away. Her eyes were dilated and glazed over. His heart was thudding in his chest.

"Sheldon, what was that?" she whispered.

He was suddenly shy. "It is customary for a gentleman to give his date a good night kiss at the end of a successful date."

Penny's eyes were wide as she licked her lips. "Oh. Um, goodnight Sheldon,' she said softly before letting herself into her apartment.

Sheldon let himself into 4A and walked back to his room. He sat on the bed and tried to slow his pulse. He grinned from ear to ear. Kissing Penny was like dropping off the edge of the world.