A/N Well, here's teh next installment! It's a little shorter than usual, but I believe that the next chapter will make up for this one!

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Wednesday was New Comic Book Day and Halo Night. She usually didn't participate in the trip to the comic book store but tonight she would make an appearance for Halo Night. It had been awhile since she had made the trip on a Wednesday night; it wasn't her fault she had to work. She had missed it though, she had missed kicking Sheldon's ass every time. But what she liked even better than that was teaming up with him. Together they were unstoppable.

She also figured she should go over tonight, still unsure if Sheldon's friendship with the guys had been mended yet.

He seemed to be on speaking terms with Leonard, friendly or not was another matter. She, though, was still not speaking to Leonard, but her anger with him was slowly dissolving. True, she still wanted to kick his ass, but she knew she couldn't stay mad at him and the guys forever.

Showered and clothed in sweatpants and t-shirt, she planned on lounging on her couch for a few hours before she headed across the hall.

A few minutes ago she had heard the door open and close and knew that Sheldon and Leonard had left for the comic book store.

She had a few hours until she would have to get her lazy ass up.

There was an alley beside the comic book store; why hadn't he noticed it before? It was a dark and dirty alley, one of the kinds where you would go in whole but come out broken and bleeding.

He couldn't walk passed it. He wouldn't.

He broke out in a cold sweat when he remembered the events of the other night, remembered how he had woken up in an alley just like that one not knowing where the hell he was. The only goal that had been in his mind at that time was to get up and out of there as quickly as he could.

"Sheldon, dude, are you okay?" Leonard asked from his current position in the driver's seat.

Sheldon tore his eyes away from the alley. "I'm fine, Leonard. I wish to remain in the car."

'What?" Sheldon never missed out on any opportunity to get new comic books. "Something's wrong. Tell me."

The taller man shook his head, not looking at him. "Nothing's wrong, I just wish to remain in the car."

Leonard could only look at him skeptically, not believing what he was saying. But there was nothing he could do to make him talk.

"Alright, buddy, I'll be out in an hour. Do you want me to get you anything?"

Sheldon just shook his head, eyes now fixed on a spot on the dashboard. "No, thank you, Leonard."

"Guys, something's wrong with Sheldon." Those were the first words out of Leonard's mouth when he greeted Howard and Raj once they had walked into the store.

Raj rolled his eyes. "Did he take the comic book you wanted?"

"Or did you take one that he wanted and he threw a Sheldon-sized fit?" Howard piped in.

"No!" He cried, causing everyone in the store to snap their heads around to look at him. He lowered his voice. "What I mean is, he's not acting right. Do you see him anywhere?"

Howard and Raj looked around and shook their heads.

"Exactly! He's sitting in the car right now. When has he ever skipped New Comic Book day?"

"Never." They said in unison.

Leonard nodded in agreement. "I told him I would only be an hour; he looked real uncomfortable out there. So, I say get what you want and let's get out of here."

This time they nodded in unison and went their separate ways among the comic book shelves.

It had probably only been twenty minutes since they guys had left when her phone started to ring.

She couldn't help the smile that automatically came to her face when she saw who was calling.

Sheldon. Wasn't he supposed to be going all nerdy over a bunch of comic books by now?

She answered it and chirped. "Hey, sweetie!"

"Hello, Penny." His voice sounded shaky and a little scared.

Oh, God.

"What's wrong?!" She immediately began to search for her keys.

"Nothing, Penny. I just wish to come home. Can you pick me up?"

"Of course, honey." She was already out the door and racing down the stairs. "I'll be there in ten minutes!"

"Thank you, Penny."

She was at the comic book store in less than ten minutes. The speeding she did and the red light she had ran helped with that.

If Sheldon was in trouble she was going to get there, no matter what. She would be there for him this time.

Parking behind Leonard's car, she was already unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door before her car had come to a complete stop.

She was about to rush inside the store when Leonard's passenger side door opened and Sheldon stepped out.

She ran up to him, eyes running over him to make sure nothing was wrong. He looked fine and she sighed with relief. But why had he called her down here to pick him up? "Is something wrong? Don't you want to go in and get your comic books?" He shook his head and glanced behind him for a second; his body stiffened slightly. "No, Penny, I would just like to go home now."

"Okaaaay." She drew the word out and looked him over once more to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

"Penny," he said once they were settled in their seats. "You informed me that you would be here in ten minutes. It took you less than that; I hope you weren't putting yourself in danger by speeding." He searched her face.

She could only smirk. "Nope. I just was lucky and got all the green lights."

She could tell he didn't believe her, but he didn't say anymore on the subject. Instead he placed a gently hand on her thigh. She jumped slightly at the contact since it had come unexpected.

"Penny," he searched her face. "Please be more careful. I do not know what I would do if anything happened to you."

With that he withdrew his hand from her thigh and stared out his window. The rest of the trip was in silence.

"Do you wanna come over?" She asked when they reached their floor. "Or do you want to play some Halo or something?" She didn't care what they did, she just wanted to be with him.

"No, thank you, Penny. I'm going to go to bed early. I have a big day tomorrow."

Oh, right. The trial.

She didn't want this to be the last she saw him tonight. "Do you want me to sing you Soft Kitty?"

He turned to her, midway through opening his door. "Soft Kitty is only for when I'm sick."

She thought fast. "Well, bruised and fractured is kind of sick."

All he could was smile, not his Joker smile, but a real one. "Then, of course you can sing me Soft Kitty."

It had been a few minutes since she had sung the last verse of Soft Kitty and she was now perched on the side of his bed, and watched as he slept. He looked so peaceful; she never wanted to leave.

So, what if she didn't?

Knowing this was a bold move, she didn't care. She carefully and slowly slipped under his blankets. Once they blanket fully covered her she laid down flat on her back, feeling Sheldon's body heat on her side.

She knew in the morning, when he woke up, he would not be happy. But it would be totally worth it.

Sheldon had been awake the whole time Penny slowly slipped under the covers. He couldn't wait until she was asleep so he could wrap his arms around her. Accidentally of course.

A/N We all know that this isn't a chapter of mine without on of my infamous talks. So this week school has been Hell, that's nothing new actually. I will tell you, though, I rather be in college then go back to high school.

So, I've gone on a Norman Reedus rampage, actually not really. I just bought a poster of him in The Boondock Saints and I have bought both movies( The Boondock Saints 1 & 2). Have any of you seen these movies? I LOVE them! My friend has got me hooked! I like the first one better, but the second one is pretty awesome as well. If you have not seen them then you must! I feel extra safe at night with the Saints hanging on my wall above my head.

Did I mention that Sean Patrick Flannery is in it as well? He plays Norman's twin. (They look so much alike, right? lol). If anyone wants to talk to me about these movies or just want to know what they are about let me know!

Thanks for all of you that have stuck around and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will be up soon!

So, until next time!