Sheldon was stunned. How could he not have realized what he had done? His hasty words 5 years ago had convinced Penny that her feelings were wrong. So, she had locked them away. She had turned off her naturally affectionate side. Sheldon was at a loss for how to correct this. He knew Penny. There was no way to just tell her that she had misunderstood his badly worded response to their actions.

Sheldon leaned his head down and pressed a light kiss to her plump lips. She moaned softly and he couldn't resist drawing closer. He closed the space between them without thinking about it. Penny's hands slipped to his waist and he threaded a hand through her hair, tilting her head to an easier angle. Sheldon lost himself in the kiss, relishing her response. He began walking backwards, Penny following willingly.

He watched her fidget in her sleep, a frown marring her features. Slowly he pulled his arm away and she settled down. Sheldon sat up and sighed. Every time he touched her sleeping form, she fidgeted. Sheldon ran a hand through his hair. They had exploded with passion. But almost immediately afterward, Penny had withdrawn from him emotionally. She was still friendly during dinner (which they were a bit late for) but there was a wall between them. After dinner the group had visited the vendors and done a bit of shopping.

He had walked her back to her room and when she opened the door he had kissed her again. That was all it took for them to burn again. He walked to the bathroom and splashed water on his face. He had gotten the impression that she wanted him to leave, but was hesitant to ask him to. So he had decided to ignore it. If she didn't ask, he didn't have to go.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror. What should he do? How was he going to convince her to explore these feelings between them? It wasn't just physical. In the last 5 years he hadn't met anyone who attracted him. Not after that first kiss with Penny. And he suspected that was part of why she had never been in a real relationship.

Sheldon turned off the light and padded back across the room to the bed. He needed advice. But who could he talk to about this?

Penny could see the guys standing near the door. It was almost time for her shift to end. She could see Tammy in her Purgatori costume approaching. One last guy stepped up onto the podium for a picture. She grimaced as he reached around to cup her left ass cheek. She smiled for the picture and then knocked his hand away.

The guy grinned and moved closer. "Hey, how about you and I get to know each other better?" he leered.

Penny smirked. "That's okay. I already filled my quota of tiny dicked men in my life."

The guy's eyes narrowed as his buddies nearby laughed. "As if a slut like you could do better!"

Penny opened her mouth but paused when Sheldon stepped over between her and the other guy. "Ready to go?" he asked calmly. Penny nodded and took the hand Sheldon held out. She let him lead her over to the others and the 5 of them walked away. Penny was surprised to find Howard on her other side, angling his slight body as much as he could to shield her from the guy and his buddies. Raj and Leonard trailed slightly behind, guarding her back (although she could also feel Leonard's eyes on her butt).

They went straight to the elevators and up to Penny's room. When they got there, she paused and kissed each man's cheek. "Thank you, guys. I'm glad to have such sweet friends." Penny grabbed some clothes and headed to the shower to wash away the body paint.

Howard, Raj and Leonard sat on the bed and turned on the tv. Sheldon took the chair beside the bed. They found an episode of Enterprise and watched that while they waited. Halfway through the episode Penny called out for Sheldon. He walked over to the door as Raj muted the tv.

"Yes?"

"I forgot a bra. Could you hand me one?" she asked.

Sheldon walked over and opened the drawers until he found the underwear. He grabbed the one on top and paused for a second. His eyes widened and he swiftly shut the drawer. He tapped on the bathroom door and it opened enough for Penny to reach out for the item. Sheldon retook his seat, but he couldn't focus on the show. His mind was centered on the picture frame in the drawer. It was one of the two of them at that dance just before he return to Germany. They were dancing, her concentrating, and him smiling softly. He didn't even know there was such a picture. Why did she have it in the drawer?

They had a quick snack and then Penny took them to meet some of their idols. It was astounding to the guys how many comic writers and artists Penny knew well. Some greeted her pleasantly, as you would a co-worker, but more than a few greeted her like an old flame or a dear friend. Simon Bisley, Ryan Stegman, Jerome Opena, Amanda Conner, they met all their favorites and few they had never had much exposure to like Fiona Staples.

Then they used their passes to get into front row seats at a few panels. Raj almost fainted when Penny introduced them to Kevin Smith and Leonard gushed like a baby when they met Tobey McGuire. Sheldon was stunned by the people who called out a greeting to Penny. When she stopped and snuck over to goose Karl Urban they all gawked. Karl hugged Penny tight and then signed autographs for them all. By the time they headed out to dinner, the guys were fairly overwhelmed by actually meeting so many of their idols.

Once everyone ordered Raj started flipping through his autograph book. Leonard and Howard compared their list of comics they had found and ones they still wanted to find. Sheldon looked at Penny who was perusing the dessert menu. She didn't work the next day, so she could indulge. "How did you get involved in these conventions?"

Penny smiled. "It was my first animated role. I was in a few episodes of Ed, Edd and Eddy. One of the regulars, Erin, asked if I wanted a temp job at a small convention. She was signing autographs for her role in Bleach and needed someone to act as assistant. It was good money, so I did it. After that I was hooked. Even if I'm not working them, I try to go if there's one nearby. I've met some really great people working them. By far my favorites are Bruce Campbell and the View Askew guys. Kevin Smith is hilarious, and I adore Jason Mewes. Brian O"Halloran is so sweet, too."

Sheldon was surprised. He remembered Penny being uninterested in comics or sci-fi when they were kids. What had changed her mind? He waited until the waiter placed their drinks before them. He noticed the waiter handing Penny an extra napkin. Penny smiled slightly and then folded it up and placed it in her pocket. The waiter smiled widely and walked away.

"I don't remember you being fond of comics," he said.

Penny shrugged. "I'm still not. I have a few, mostly gifts, or a few trade paperbacks, but I'm more interested in the anime and manga. Mostly though, it's the people I like. Artists, actors, writers, and especially the fans. They are all so passionate about it. I love doing voice work. Meeting people who enjoy doing it also, or who are just fans is really cool."

Penny turned to Sheldon. "So, what about you? Are you enjoying the convention?"

Sheldon nodded, his mind flashing back to dinner last night. "It has exceeded my expectations. I have met many of my favorite artists and writers. I enjoyed the three panels I went to yesterday and the two today. And spending time with my best friend has been the highlight. That is my favorite part." Penny frowned slightly and watched the waiter approach with the meals. He had the impression that he had said the wrong thing.

After dinner they walked around some of the exhibits and promo booths. Sheldon noticed her throwing away a napkin at the first trash can they came across. When it was time to retire for the night, Penny said goodnight to all the guys and walked off the elevator. Sheldon started to follow but she stopped him. "I'm too tired to hang out tonight," she said calmly. Then she walked away.

Sheldon was just settling into his bed when it hit him. His words at the restaurant could have seemed like he was saying their having slept together was what he was interested in the most. Sheldon sat down and ran a hand through his hair. This was becoming a bad habit, saying things to Penny that were easily misunderstood. Sheldon grabbed his phone and began typing.

Penny was flipping through the channels when her phone buzzed. She picked it up and looked at the message.

I meant what I said. Spending time with you has been my favorite part. Walking around, dining, talking, and generally hanging out. It has been wonderful renewing our friendship. I enjoyed last night, and hope to continue that aspect, but it is nothing compared to just being around you again, having you as my best friend once more.

Penny smiled softly. She paused to organize her thoughts and then replied.

Sheldon waited, hopefully, to see if she would answer. He breathed a sigh of relief as he read her message.

I'm glad you're back in mine, too. I've had a wonderful time hanging out with you as well, sweetie. I'm not sure about the other part, Sheldon. Can we discuss it when we get home?

He sent her a quick affirmative answer and said goodnight. Penny's goodnight was accompanied with a smiley face. Sheldon slipped into the bed and turned off the light. They had the race in the morning and he knew Penny was really looking forward to it.

The coordinator paired them all off into groups of three. It was him, Penny and a man with an asthma inhaler clutched in one fist. Leonard and Raj were with a thin redheaded girl who kept texting on her phone. Howard was with a guy in a Ford Prefect costume and a woman dressed as the Bride from Kill Bill. They were given a starting clue that would help them locate the next clue. Each clue would lead them around the convention from start to finish. A whistle blew and they were off.

Sheldon watched anxiously as Penny shimmied up a tree and grabbed the next clue in the race. She read it out loud and the other guy wrote it down. She moved to descend the tree and Sheldon grabbed her hips to guide her. She leaned into his arms for a second before pulling away. Sheldon's pulse sped up a bit. This event was turning out to be more stimulating than anticipated. Their adrenalin was up from the competition and they seemed to have both gotten into the habit of touching each other at every opportunity.

Penny had climbed onto his shoulders earlier, and as she got down, she had hugged his neck. When he had reached for the list, he had done so by standing behind her and reaching around. When their partner had slipped into a men's room to grab a clue, He had trailed his fingers down her spine absently. They followed the newest clue through a laundry room, Sheldon's eyes continuously dropping to her hips. When they got to the washing machines, Penny began opening the doors and searching for the last clue. Sheldon suppressed a groan as her bottom wiggled enticingly as she stretched to reach the clue in the bottom of the machine. When he noticed their partner eyeing her, he grabbed her waist and lifted her away. He reached inside and grabbed the clue before turning to glare at the other guy. Penny read the clue and grabbed Sheldon's hand.

"To the lobby!" she yelled triumphantly. They hurried away, his hand clasped in her tightly.

They weren't first, or even fifth. They were the sixth group to reach the treasure. Sheldon couldn't help smiling as Penny accepted their prize, three copies of The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy signed by Douglas Adams. Leonard and Raj came in 12th and Howard's group was right behind in 14th. They all received t-shirts. Afterwards, they all returned to their rooms to check out. It was a bit of a squeeze, but they all managed to fit everything in the trunk except Penny's make-up case. She placed it on her lap and climbed in between Howard and Raj. Soon they were all on their way home.