Disclaimer: I do not own The Big Bang Theory and no profit is being made from this story. Also, please note that I was having troubles with finding a beta reader so this chapter is not beta read. If anyone wants the job, please let me know!

Sheldon was flipping through the new comic books with Leonard and Howard. Raj, who in the end had decided to accompany them to the comic book store, was over by the register talking to Stuart. Sheldon personally thought that it was rather pointless to go into a store and not look at any of the merchandise.

Leonard and Howard were having a Batman versus Superman debate. Normally, Sheldon would have happily joined in the debate, but he was having a hard time focusing on both the comic books and the discussion. He looked at his watch for the seventh time in six minutes. Penny was late.

Sheldon was always irritated when people were not punctual. However, for some strange reason, this time Penny's tardiness caused him to feel more unsettled than usual. Perhaps it was because Penny in the comic book store was rare. Or maybe it was because he had found a comic book that he thought her nephew would like.

Before Sheldon could further persue this line of thought, Penny walked in. Sheldon picked up the comic books he had pulled, including the one he thought would be appropriate for Penny's nephew, and made his was over toward her. Unfortunately, Captain Sweatpants was blocking the most efficient route to Penny so Sheldon did not reach Penny as fast as he would have liked.

"Hello, Penny," said Sheldon happily when he reached Penny.

"Oh, hi Sheldon!" Penny said with a smile. Sheldon's heart rate sped up a little at the sight of Penny's smile.

"I picked out a comic book that I think your nephew will like," said Sheldon, offering the item to Penny.

"Thank you," said Penny, taking the comic book. Sheldon noted that she sounded distracted. She was looking over in the direction of the register so Sheldon, following her gaze, glanced over there.

Sheldon, not seeing anything other than Raj and Stuart, asked Penny "What are you looking at?"

"Raj. Do you think something is going on him and Stuart?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Sheldon, look at them! They're flirting!"

Sheldon looked over at Raj and Stuart again and noticed that they were laughing and Raj was leaning in and touching Stuart's shoulder. He really wasn't good with body language so he decided that if Penny said that was flirting than he would take her word for it. He decided to change the subject. "Do you think your nephew will like that comic book?"

"Yeah, it's great," said Penny. "Maybe you could help me find some more? I want to give him more than one."

"Oh, Penny," said Sheldon as they made their way over towards the section that he thought would interest Penny's nephew, "I want you to know that there is a banquet following awards ceremony. The dress code is white tie."

"What are you talking about?" asked Penny, sounding a little confused.

"The Nobel Prize," Sheldon said patiently.

"Oh, yeah. White tie! Wow!" said Penny. Sheldon couldn't really make sense of where she was going with her train of thought so he decided that he would carry on as if what she had said made sense.

"Yes. Since it is white tie, I doubt you have anything appropriate to wear."

Penny's eyes narrowed at him. "I'm sure I can come up with something."

"Well, to help you in that endeavor, I'm going to give you five thousand dollars."

Penny's eyes opened up really wide and her jaw dropped. "Sheldon, sweetie, thank you, but that is way too much! I would never be able to pay you back!"

"Nonsense. It's a gift."

"It's way too much, you can't afford that." Penny said firmly.

"Penny, I have just been given a substantial raise and a large bonus at work. Besides, I have a lot of checks that I have never cashed or deposited. Trust me, I can afford it."

"Sheldon, I would feel funny taking your money. I don't want to take advantage of you." Penny looked sad.

"Penny, you are my guest on this trip, therefore it is my duty to pay for all of your expenses for your trip. Let me give you the money."

"Please, Penny," Sheldon practically begged.

"Oh, Alright," said Penny, sounding determined, "but I will pay you back. I don't know when or how, but I will."

"Thank you," said Sheldon. He didn't know why it was so important to him that Penny take the money. He knew that paying that most people would consider that paying for someone's room, board, and transportation costs more than adequate. Sheldon also knew that Penny could come up with appropriate attire. He just had this overwhelming urge to provide for her. Maybe it was due to his recent thoughts about settling down. Perhaps his subconscious felt that Penny would make a suitable spouse for him and mother for his offspring. This would be a subject to think about later; right now he had to focus on comic books.

Sheldon shook himself out of his thoughts and was just about to go browsing again when he glanced at Penny. She was again looking over at the register. "Why do you keep looking at Raj and Stuart?"

"Because I think there is something going on between them."

"Are you insinuating that Raj is a homosexual?" Sheldon wasn't sure if that's what she meant so he sought clarification.

"Yes," answered Penny.