Ch4

Halfway through the movie, Penny, full of pizza and tea and sunshine, fell asleep.

This was not unusual in his old apartment, when the films often bored her or she was half inebriated, but this was her favourite movie. One moment she had been smiling softly, cuddling up to the throw pillow in her lap, and then next, her eyelids were closed and her head was softly sliding down the back of the couch to rest on his shoulder.

He knew, because he had spent most of the movie watching her, trying to figure out what was different about today. Why her being in his home, in his pajamas, was effecting him more than the sight of her in her underwear and a discarded shirt ever had. It finally occurred to him. His. Before, at the apartment, he had never known whom she was trying to visit when she waltzed through the door in a cloud of cheesecake scented air.

But this was his house. Only he lived there. She had, therefore, come specifically to see him. She had not brought a frozen laptop or a game query which would relegate her visit as a necessity. She had no reason to show up except that she wanted his company.

It was a very odd sensation. Often people wanted his knowledge, or his skill, and charities often wanted his money, but his company was something people just seemed to put up with. Not that he cared, he was only putting up with their presence as well, but Penny's willingness to chip in this afternoon instead of distract him with banal chat was mesmerizing. She'd never been able to help him accomplish something before. And they had done a wonderful job. The backyard now met his expectations. His yard. His house. His company. His couch.

His pajamas.

His friend. For the first time since the day he had met her, even before that if the truth be told, Sheldon wondered if a girl like her would ever want to settle down with a guy like him.

She sighed and snuggled in closer to him, her hand coming up to rest under her chin on his chest, and though he didn't move a muscle, he also didn't feel the need or desire to move away.

~P~

It was dark when she woke.

A small frown flitted across her face before her eyes opened. Where was she? As soon as her eyes opened though she smiled. The chest under her cheek was Sheldon's. It was softer than she had expected.

Of course, she had always though he would feel like Mr. Bojangles from the science lab at her high-school back in Omaha. Who could blame her? The guy was almost freakishly thin. He smelled really good too.

The man underneath her shifted awkwardly, and she pulled herself into an upright position. "Sorry Sheldon, I fell asleep!"

"I'm aware." He noted, pressing a button on the remote.

A quick glance at the screen informed her that not only was the movie over, but most of the special effects were as well. She yawned and raised her arms above her head in a stretch. "Wow, I guess I should be going huh?"

The movement made Sheldon's pajama top rise up to her ribcage.

"What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?" He asked, forcing his eyes away.

She stood and stretched her arm out across her chest and pulled it to her, and then did the same to the other. "Don't have to work till Sunday. They cut my hours those bastards!"

"In that case, you may as well stay here." He stood up brusquely. "You shouldn't be driving in that thing you call a car at this time of the night, who knows what might happen when the engine quits?"

Penny's left eyebrow rose up dangerously.

Misunderstanding, his cheeks flushed. "You don't need to look at me like that, I have a spare bedroom."

It took a few seconds for her to clue in to what he thought she had been thinking, and then she couldn't help but smile. That he had even gone there in his mind was a bit of a shock. He must have been thinking some good thoughts when she was passed out on his shoulder.

Wiping her mouth discretely, hoping she hadn't drooled on him, she shrugged and the nodded. "Ok."

Then she tilted her head and widened her eyes innocently. "So where will I sleep?"