Penny was double checking her make-up carrying case when there was a knock on her door. It wasn't repeated, so she stood and looked through the peep hole. She hesitated but finally reached for the knob. "Hello, Leonard. What's up?"
Leonard held out a small bouquet of roses. "Penny, I was hoping you would agree to join me for dinner."
During the bowling game two weeks ago Leonard had learned that she and Charlie were just friends from Bernadette. Bernie hadn't realized Leonard didn't know, and let it slip. Since then he had asked her out 5 times. Penny leaned against the door a bit. "Leonard, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in dating anyone."
At that moment Howard and Sheldon appeared on the steps. Leonard glared for a second. "You mean me," he said grumpily.
Penny shook her head. "No. I mean anyone. I don't date. I never date. Not anyone. I have never been on a date in my life, and I'm not looking to change that now." All three men looked at her with surprise. She shrugged her shoulders. "So, I'd appreciate it if you stopped asking. It makes me uncomfortable."
Leonard slumped a bit. "Oh, okay." Penny waved at the other two and stepped back inside. Leonard moved toward the stairs, Howard and Sheldon were right behind him.
"Wow. Never been on a date before?" Howard asked. "A beautiful woman like her?"
Sheldon frowned. "When we parted ways before, Penny was just under 15 years old. Mr. Wyatt would never have let her date that young. It does seem strange that she did not date once she was older. Penny has always been very outgoing and social. So it must be because she truly does not want to date, not because she lacked opportunities."
Leonard looked at Sheldon. "I guess you'll stop spending so much time with Penny now that you know she's not interested."
Sheldon shook his head. "Leonard, despite your jealousy, Penny and I really are friends. We have been friends since childhood. Despite our separation over the last few years, we are still friends. Penny's romantic stance has no bearing on that. Whether she is single, dating, or even married, I will still be her friend and she will be mine."
Sheldon looked over the map of the convention carefully, searching for the ADV booth Penny would be working at. She had left the day before the convention, but had promised to have lunch with the guys each day, as well as meeting them after her shift was over. In exchange, she had extracted a promise from them that they would participate in the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy race on the last day, which meant forgoing the card collector's auction. But Penny had been so excited about the event, and Raj had wanted to play also.
"Found it!" Howard said, pointing to a section of the map. The guys looked around and located the area they were in and began making their way through the throng of aliens, superheroes, villains, and fellow nerds. Howard smiled slightly. "So, I have a second date with Bernadette when we get back."
"You two hit it off, then?" Leonard asked.
Howard nodded. "Yeah. It's just for roller disco, but who knows, maybe it'll be fun." Howard grinned over at Raj. "She did mention, though, that Penny's friend, Amy, had been asking about you."
Raj's eyes went wide. "Really? She asked about me? What did she ask? Did she say she thought I was cute? Should I call her? How can I call her? Maybe I can text her."
Howard shrugged. "I don't know what she said. Just that she was asking Penny about you." Raj was about to question him further when he suddenly squeaked and turned red. Everyone followed his gaze and Sheldon gulped audibly.
Okay, so he knew she was cosplaying as Lady Death. He knew what Lady Death looked like. But he had assumed Penny's costume would be the more concealing Medieval Lady Death. Instead, her body was airbrushed white, and she wore the classic Lady Death costume of a minuscule black bikini, thigh-high leather boots, and a floor length cape. Skulls adorned the outfit at her cleavage, and around her waist. She carried a large broadsword over one shoulder.
There was a long line of men (and quite a few of women) waiting to have their picture taken with her. On the other side of the booth was a brunette dressed as Razor complete with replica forearm blades and black lightning bolts on her face. Her line was almost as long as Penny's. Penny looked over and spotted them and waved briefly. She leaned over and spoke softly to a man wearing a black t-shirt with ADV PERSONNEL. The guy looked at them and nodded to her. Then he walked over.
"Hey, have you guys checked in yet?" he asked.
Sheldon nodded his head. "Of course. We did that first thing. Why do you ask?"
The guy shrugged. "If you hadn't, I would have taken care of it for you. Penny will be here a couple more hours. She said to give you guys these passes and tell you she'll meet you in the dining room about 12:30." They took the plastic lanyards and looked at them. According to these, they were special guests of ADV.
"Holy frak!" Howard said. "These are legit passes! These babies can get us preferred treatment!"
The guy nodded. "Yeah, you can get into some of the Q&A's that are reserved for people in the profession, get discounts a few places, and best of all," the guy leaned forward, "babes see those and will be all over you looking for a way into the business."
Sheldon frowned slightly. "That's dishonest."
The guy shrugged. "Whatever."
Sheldon looked at his friends, who were looking excited. He shook his head with exasperation. He looked over at Penny. She was draped on some large Klingon's arm for a photograph. He sighed internally. He had no interest in meeting women looking to break into the business. He had no interest in any woman except one. And that was a secret he would never admit to. The one and only time they had attempted something beyond friendship, they hadn't spoken again for 5 years. He couldn't risk that again.
Penny smiled for one last picture and turned over her station to Nancy in her Lady Demon persona. She stepped into the small back room and threw on jeans and a t-shirt. Then she grabbed a bottle of water and made her way to the dining room. It was just after 12 and she was starving. She sent a quick text to Sheldon asking where they were. She settled into a booth and looked over the menu.
"Hello fair maiden," Howard said as he slid in across from her. Leonard and Raj scooted in also. Penny looked up at Sheldon who was glaring at her. She rolled her eyes and moved over, assuming he wanted her seat. He watched her angrily for a few seconds more before sitting down.
Penny reached up and touched the tip of his pointy ear. "For a Vulcan, you look awfully emotional. What's got you upset, Shel?"
He fidgeted and his lips thinned out in annoyance. "I am not upset." His left eye twitched and Penny shook her head. She looked at the others questioningly.
Leonard smiled at her, barely able to keep his eyes above her neck. "He's been like this all day."
Penny looked at Sheldon carefully. "What's wrong, sweetie? It's not like you to be so grumpy. Aren't you happy to be here?"
Sheldon struggled to calm himself. "I am fine. Shall we order?"
Penny watched him for a couple more seconds before finally nodding.
Penny slipped into her jeans and pulled a new t-shirt over her damp hair. She was worn out, but looking forward to meeting up with the guys for dinner. Today was her longest day. Tomorrow she only worked from 8 am until 2 pm. And Sunday she didn't work at all. She was really looking forward to the Hitchhiker's race. She grabbed her wallet and room card and opened the door. She was surprised to find Sheldon standing in the hall, looking indecisive.
"Shel? Are you okay?"
He looked over and frowned. "No. But I'm not sure what to do about it."
Penny pulled him inside. "Sweetie, talk to me. Has someone done something to bother you? What's going on?"
Sheldon sighed and sat down on the bed. "I can't. You will be upset with me, and I don't want you to stop speaking to me again."
Penny frowned and sat down beside him. "Shel, just talk to me. I may get mad, but we're friends. I can't help if I don't know what the problem is."
"I don't like it," he said softly.
"Like what?"
"The way those morons drool all over you. How can you wear that …that nothing around those men?"
Penny looked at him in surprise. "Sheldon, it's just a costume. You are wearing one right now, yourself."
He glared down at the floor. "I am not on display for all to see! It's degrading! You are being made to dress like a sex object when you have no sexual desires. It is not right."
Penny frowned a bit. "Sheldon, I never said I don't have desires. Granted, the costume is a bit chilly, but I like being noticed the same as any other person. I like sex. It's fun. Where did you get the idea I didn't like sex?"
Sheldon looked up, confused. "You said you do not date."
She nodded. "I don't. That doesn't mean I'm celibate."
He looked at her closely. "But if you don't date…"
Penny shrugged. "I go to a bar, pick up a guy and take him back to the apartment. No muss, no fuss, no weird relationship to deal with. I used to have an arrangement with a friend, but then he got transferred to Seattle and that ended. " Penny smiled faintly. "It was perfect. Sex on a regular basis, without getting all wrapped up in feelings or expectations."
Sheldon could only stare. "Penny, I'm not sure I understand. How could such an arrangement appeal to you? You have always been an affectionate person. Why would you deliberately shun emotion?"
Penny looked away. "Emotion isn't all it's cracked up to be, Shel. You keep your own under a tight leash. Aren't you happier that way?"
Sheldon was silent for several minutes. "Penny?" His voice was low and hesitant. " You say you had an arrangement with a friend. You and I are friends, aren't we?"
Penny stilled. "What are you saying, Sheldon?"
He looked at her hesitantly. "I am asking if such an arrangement would be possible between us."
Penny looked shocked and a bit worried. "Sheldon, that's not a good idea."
Sheldon looked at Penny hesitantly. He licked his lips and leaned in slowly. He was encouraged when Penny didn't pull away. He pressed his lips to hers lightly. Instantly he was transported back to the summer day in Galveston. He reached out and curled one hand around her nape to tilt her head.
He moaned as she responded. Sheldon twisted toward her and grabbed her waist. He picked her up and settled her across his lap, a knee on either side of him. Penny's hands settled on his shoulders and his wrapped around her waist. He sucked on her bottom lip and pressed her hips down onto his.
"Wait!" Penny pulled back and took a deep breath. "Wait, Sheldon!"
He looked at her flushed skin and slipped his hands under the hem of her shirt. He ran his fingers up and down her spine, feeling her shudder against him.
Penny licked her lips and tried to gather her thoughts. "Sheldon, this isn't a good idea. I don't think a friends with benefits arrangement would work here. We're too close. Besides, we tried this kind of thing before, Sheldon. It ended horribly."
Sheldon sighed sadly. "Penny, you have no idea how much I regret that. I should never have done what I did."
Penny slowly stood up. Sheldon looked at her with worry. She looked at him with wide eyes. "I don't want to talk about this."
Sheldon stood and moved toward her. Penny scooted backwards until she hit the door. "Penny, please, we need to talk about this. I need to know you forgive me for that."
Penny closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course I do," she whispered. "You were only telling me the truth. You were right. What I did was bad. I shouldn't have thrown myself at you like that."
Sheldon looked shocked. "Penny, what are you talking about? I'm the one to blame. I took advantage of you! I was almost 18. You were not yet 15. What I was doing was wrong. You were underage, and I was …it was bad, what I did."
Penny shook her head. "Don't bother, Sheldon. I may not have an eidetic memory, but I remember the look on your face. The anger and disgust. I remember you calling me bad. I remember how upset you were."
Sheldon paused and looked at Penny. Really looked at her. He remembered every moment of that day so long ago. Suddenly it all made sense. Why she had run. Why she had avoided him. Why she didn't date. In that moment he understood Penny completely. He had broken her without realizing it.