Penny pulled on her pajamas and crawled into the cot wearily. It was close to midnight and Sheldon was still out. She rolled over to face the wall and closed her eyes. Would he stay out all night? Her stomach rolled and she clamped her lips together against the nausea that thought caused her. Penny closed her eyes tight and tried to will herself to sleep.
Instead her mind kept flashing to the way Sheldon had responded to the woman's advances. He had accepted her invitation almost immediately. He had watched her walk away as if unable to stop. And she had no one to blame but herself.
Penny sobbed softly as she finally admitted to herself that she loved him. Had always loved him. But she had never thought herself good enough for him. He was larger than life to her. She was just so ordinary compared to him. How could she ever keep him happy? She wiped her eyes and sighed.
What if he fell in love with this woman? Or some other woman? How could she survive that?
Sheldon grimaced as Alice placed her hand on his chest and leaned in close. She raised her face for a kiss and he stepped back quickly. Alice looked at him with a smirk.
"Don't tell me you're shy," she said moving closer. She pressed her body against his and Sheldon gripped her shoulders.
He pushed her back gently. "Alice, you are an attractive woman. I have enjoyed our discussion. But I have no interest in sleeping with you."
Alice raised one eyebrow in disbelief. "Then why did you come here? Are you playing with me? Or is that your thing? You like to play hard to get?"
Sheldon sighed slightly. "I am sorry if I misled you. I enjoyed our quick discussion about comics and had an interest in discussing them further. But I am not interested in sleeping here."
Alice looked at him carefully and sighed. "You and the blond, then?"
Sheldon moved around Alice and opened the door. "I thank you for a pleasant meal. Good night."
Alice watched him walk down the hall. With a sigh she closed her door. The blond was an idiot.
Sheldon carefully opened the door to the cabin and slipped inside. He had walked to the lounge after leaving Alice's cabin. He had sat in a corner and contemplated his situation. He loved Penny. Charlie said Penny loved him, but she had not given him any indication that she did. Was he just deluding himself? He didn't think he could settle for just Penny's friendship. Not after knowing what it was like to hold her. He had finally faced reality. He needed Penny. He would just have to settle for what she was willing to offer. He closed the door behind him and sat down on the cot beside her. He reached out and brushed her hair from her face, frowning when he saw the dried tear tracks.
Penny fidgeted slightly and opened her eyes sleepily. "Sheldon?"
He leaned down and placed his lips on hers. Immediately she responded. He gripped her arms and pulled her up to his chest. He groaned deeply as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Penny," he whispered huskily against her lips. "I can't do it," he admitted. "I can't just be your friend. I need you."
Penny pulled away a few inches and looked at him worriedly. "Sheldon, I … I need you, too." She took a deep breath and summoned the courage to open up to him completely. "I love you, Sheldon. It scares the hell out of me, but it's true. I can't watch you be with someone else. It hurts too much. I'm sorry I pushed you away. Please, I want to be with you."
Tears formed in her eyes and she blinked quickly to clear her vision. "Whatever it takes, Shel. I'll do my very best, I swear. Just don't give up on me."
Sheldon stared in wonder as she spoke. "You love me? Are you sure?"
Penny nodded timidly. "I've always loved you," she admitted quietly. "I know I'm not good enough for y…."
Her words were cut off as Sheldon jerked her forward and kissed her hard. He wrapped her in his arms and held her tight. "No! Don't say it. Don't ever say that again," he said sternly. "You are the only woman I have ever wanted, Penny. Even as children, there was no one else who could fill your role. You have always been my best friend. You have always been the love of my life. How could you not be good enough when you are the only one?"
Penny stared at him for a couple of heartbeats. Then she kissed him softly. "I'm sorry I made you wait so long."
He laid her back on the cot, pressing his body against hers. Neither of them spoke again as they removed each others clothing. They didn't need to.
Penny and Sheldon climbed the stairs to the second floor hand in hand. The wedding had been simple but beautiful. They had been stunned by how accepting their family was of their relationship. Missy had rolled her eyes and said it was about time. Junior had teased that Sheldon had stolen her away from him. Mary and Wyatt had simply smiled and hugged them both. It was Meemaw who said it best.
"You two were always the best thing that ever happened to one another. Neither one of you is happy without the other."
Penny unlocked her door and they carried their luggage inside. Charlie looked up from the sandwich he was eating and studied them closely. He smirked around a mouthful of food and gave Sheldon a thumbs up. Penny blushed and dragged Sheldon to her room. They unpacked her luggage and put everything away. Then they headed up to his apartment to do the same with his things.
They were almost to the fourth floor when they ran into Raj, Amy, Bernadette, Howard and Leonard. Leonard smiled widely for a moment before noticing the way Penny and Sheldon were holding hands. His eyes narrowed angrily as Sheldon looked at Penny. She bit her bottom lip nervously for a second before squaring her shoulders.
"Hey guys, we missed you all. Guess what! Sheldon and I are a couple now," she said with a smile.
Amy and Bernadette immediately congratulated them and hugged Penny. Howard smiled slightly and gave Sheldon a nod. Raj looked at Leonard worriedly. Leonard's expression was a mix of disbelief and anger.
"I thought you didn't date," he bit out in a low tone.
Penny nodded. "I didn't. But I do now. Or at least, I date Sheldon. Look, I know you have a crush," she began softly, hoping to ease some of his anger.
"I love you," he almost shouted. He took a deep breath and clenched his hands in an effort to control himself. "I've loved you since we met."
Sheldon placed a comforting hand on Penny's waist and drew her closer. "We regret that you are upset by this," he said calmly. "You have no cause to be angry, though."
Leonard glared at Sheldon and opened his mouth. "You stole her," he accused viciously.
"I don't owe you anything," Penny said quietly. Everyone looked at her as she looked at Leonard. "I never promised you anything. I have tried to discourage you from the beginning. I would gladly be your friend, but even without Sheldon, I was never interested in dating you, Leonard. I am sorry you feel the way you do, but Sheldon did not steal me. I was never yours to begin with."
She gave Sheldon's hand a tug and they walked on up the stairs. Sheldon unlocked his door and they moved inside. Penny leaned back against the door wearily and closed her eyes. A moment later Sheldon's lips brushed hers and she smiled. She opened her eyes to see him looking at her happily.
"I was not sure you would want our friends to know," he admitted.
Penny wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. "I wasn't sure either," she admitted. "But I don't want to mess this up. I would rather everyone was upset than lose you, Shel."
Sheldon kissed the top of her head and smiled. "Penny, I love you."
She smiled and looked up at him. "I love you too."
They moved toward his bedroom with the luggage and Sheldon looked down at her mischievously. "Penny? Would you be amicable to moving in with me?"
Penny froze for a second before turning stunned eyes to him. After a couple of seconds she pinched his ribs. "Good lord! You're just going to keep pushing me, aren't you?"
Sheldon smirked as he opened the bedroom door for her. "All the way to the altar," he admitted slyly.
Penny spun to look at him, her hands on her hips. "Is that your idea of a marriage proposal?"
Sheldon shut the door with his foot and advanced on her. "I know neither of us is ready for that," he admitted, as he cupped her face with his hands. "I'm just trying to get you used to the idea."
Penny moaned low as he bent and kissed her deeply. Sheldon maneuvered them back to the bed and laid her down. "It took me four months to get you to agree to just date me. I figure that if I want to get you to move in within the next year, I better start now."
Penny slid her hands under his shirts as he kissed her collar bone. "And the altar thing?" she gasped out.
Sheldon smirked and reached for her waistband. "I have it planned out for three years from now."
Penny shook her head with amusement. "Really? I was thinking two, max."
Sheldon stilled and stared at her hopefully. "Penny? Are you serious?"
She leaned up and brushed her lips across his cheek. "Be patient with me," she said softly. "But understand that I'm here for good. I love you, Sheldon. I want to be with you. I'll get over my fears."
Sheldon smiled tenderly and nodded. "Okay." He dipped his head to kiss her again and they put everything else out of their minds for now.
True to his word, within a year they were living together, and the two purple monkeys were once again reunited, arms wrapped around each other in a place of honor on top of the dresser.
True to her word, the next year they didn't just share an apartment, but a last name as well.