hey, thanks to everyone who wished me luck on the exams, they're going okay so far :/ please keep telling me about the places you're in, it's like I get to travel the world from my computer! this is a bit short, but it's all I had time for, so I hope you enjoy it

Luckyhai5 XD

Penny had been in a daze ever since holding Sheldon's hand. She wasn't sure how to react; after the awards ceremony, he'd walked off abruptly, waiting in silence in the back seat of the car. She'd sat next to Leonard in the front, burning with shame and something else, too – she could see, from the set of Sheldon's shoulders, that he was feeling on edge too; it was as if some invisible force had squeezed up all her senses, every nerve sparking.

It was two days later, and she hadn't seen Sheldon. To be honest, she'd been avoiding him, and she suspected that he, in turn, was avoiding her. She hadn't been ready for this surge of feeling; it was like being constantly suspended in mid-air, unbearable and delicious.

But then there was the problem of Leonard. She wasn't sure when he had become a problem, but Penny knew he had – was this just about Sheldon? No, she was sure it wasn't; she and Leonard had deeper issues before this. Nonetheless, if something happened between her and Sheldon, it would destroy him – not that anything would happen, of course.

The washing was done. Deeply engrossed in thought, Penny removed her clothes from the machine. She didn't hear him come in. When she turned, she shrieked, finding him right behind her, an inch closer than usual. He didn't react to the noise she made, standing still, a horrified look on his face, of shock and terror.

"Sheldon! You scared me!"

He did not reply.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Unthinkingly, Penny reached out and touched his arm. He flinched.

"Penny." This was new – Sheldon was speechless. Penny turned away inside herself. He must truly hate her; resent her – would she ever figure out this man?

"I bought a cactus."

That was unexpected. Sheldon had had so many weird episodes.

"That's nice, sweetie." She hadn't removed her hand from his arm, and he was slowly leaning against it.

"It rarely flowers, but today a purple bud appeared on it. I think that means it's going to die soon."

The point of contact between them, her hand on his arm, was distracting her; it felt electric, even through the fabric of his top. She found herself applying more pressure to the spot as he leaned in more; she felt heady and disoriented, unable to follow the conversation. Briefly, she scrambled to arrange her thoughts and responded, "That's a shame."

"Yes, but the beautiful things never last."

He pulled away from her, a look of things unfinished lingering in his bright eyes.

"Penny…"

"Yes, Sheldon?" She couldn't say his name enough, she was drawn into his eyes, she longed to touch him, craved his skin on hers…

"You dropped your washing."

Abruptly, he severed the link between their eyes, turning and leaving swiftly. Penny was left stunned, unable to move for a long moment until she noted, with a smile, that he'd left his washing basket behind.