Sheldon has taken time away from his work to find Penny. He's even willing to turn to his sister, the last person he knows Penny visited, for help. So, off we go to Galveston. Ladies and Gentlemen, say hello to the Cooper women. :)

"Well, I'm not sure which is more surprising. The fact that you took a cab, or that it only took you 5 weeks," Missy said as she looked at her twin. Sheldon set his suitcase down and allowed her to pull him in for a hug. "Come on in Shelly. I'll make some tea while you call Momma."

He frowned slightly. "Why do I need to call Mommy?"

Missy grinned. "One, if you don't tell her you're in town, she'll tan your hide. Two, she's our mother and it's common courtesy. Three, I don't know where Penny is, but she either knows herself, or she knows who does."

Sheldon sat down at the small kitchen table and pulled out his phone.

Mary looked her son over carefully as she set dinner on the table. Missy carried in the rolls and butter. Meemaw sat down beside him and took his hand in hers. Once everyone was seated Mary said a prayer over the food.

"So, Shelly," she began. "Why are you here? I want to hear it all."

Sheldon scooped some carrots onto his plate. "Because I need to find Penny."

Meemaw and Mary exchanged looks. "Penny left of her own free will. She told us she would contact all of you when she was ready. If she hasn't done so, she must not be ready."

Sheldon nodded. "I know. It does not matter. I have to find her."

Meemaw looked at him. "Why is this so urgent?"

Sheldon looked at Missy, who nodded encouragingly. "Because I love her, Meemaw. I love her very much and I need to find her and tell her."

"What about Amy?" Mary asked gently.

Sheldon shook his head. "I have ended that relationship. I explained everything to Amy. She is hurt by this, but yet she is supportive, too. Surprisingly, with the exception of Leonard, all of my friends are supportive."

"And Leonard?" Mary asked calmly.

"He is angry and hostile. He has insisted I move out. I have done so. I am sorry he is upset, but that does not stop me from loving Penny."

Meemaw gently touched the large bruise on his jaw. "Is that who gave you the black eye and bruised jaw?"

Sheldon nodded. "He was quite upset."

Mary set her fork down and reached across for her son's hand. She was pleased when he didn't pull away. "Shelly, I love you. You are a mystery to me, but that never stopped me from loving you. If this is truly what you want, if you really do love this girl, then I will help. But be sure, son. That girl can't take much more pain. I don't want you going after her and making her go back to California if you just want your routine back."

Sheldon looked at his mom and for the first time since he was a child, he dropped all his defenses. He let them see the emotions inside him. "I love her. It does not matter to me where she is, or where she wants to be. It's just a location. I will go where she goes. I need her, Mommy."

All three women gave a sigh of relief. Meemaw patted his hand comfortingly. "You will have to wait a few days, Moon Pie. Penny is working as a bartender on the Carnival Magic cruise liner. They left port three days ago and won't return until Saturday."

Sheldon sighed. 4 days. Well, he had waited this long. He could last four more days.

He stood in the kitchen and watched the car pull up. She stepped out of the passenger seat and waved to her friend as the car pulled away. Meemaw was at his Mommy's house. They had reluctantly agreed to let him greet her alone. They wanted to be there when he told her, but he had insisted that this was something he had to do privately. He heard the front door open so he took a deep breath and tried to settle his nerves. He wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that Penny was renting a room from Meemaw. Granted, he had easier access to Penny. But he also had family underfoot.

"Meemaw, I'm back!" her voice called out. Sheldon turned and waited. A moment later Penny stepped into the kitchen, shrugging off her jacket. She froze when she saw him. "Sh..Sheldon?"

"Hello, Penny."

Slowly she draped her jacket over a chair and looked at him. "Why are you here?"

He moved to the table and took a seat. He gestured to the one she was behind and she sat down. "I am here because you are here. I came to find you."

Penny looked at him worriedly. "Is something wrong? Has something happened to one of the guys?"

He shook his head and she slumped slightly with relief. "No. I came because I had to. I needed to find you and speak with you."

Penny reached up and released her hair from the ponytail. "I told you I would be in touch eventually, Sheldon. You didn't have to come here."

"Yes I did," he said softly. "It was non-optional."

"Why? What is so important, Sheldon?" she asked in a tired voice.

"I love you."

He listened to the shower start upstairs. She didn't believe him. His chest was tight and his breathing labored. She thought he was only trying to get her to come back. He sighed and leaned against the banister.

At least she hadn't laughed at him. She just didn't believe him. He rubbed a hand over his jaw. The bruise had faded to an ugly yellow, as had the one under his eye. He took a bit of comfort from her anger at Leonard for hitting him, but she was also upset about him upsetting Amy. How could he convince her? Romantic gestures? Gifts? Slowly Sheldon straightened up and looked at the ceiling. Determination filled him and he headed up the stairs.

Penny stepped under the spray of hot water and sighed. What a clusterfuck this was! What on earth had gotten into him?! She reached for the shampoo bottle. She paused as his words flashed through her mind again.

"I love you."

She uncapped the bottle and poured a liberal amount into her hand. She was just lathering up her tresses when the curtain pulled back. She squealed in alarm and jumped. Two long sinewy arms wrapped around her instantly to keep her from slipping.

"I do not relish driving you to the hospital again, Penny."

"Sheldon! What the hell?" Penny's eyes were shut against the lather and she tried to lean into the spray to rinse the shampoo away.

Sheldon pulled her back against his body, (his very naked body, she realized with shock) and moved his hands to her hair. He worked the cleanser through the long hair gently. Then he scooted them forward until he could rinse it away.

"Conditioner," he requested. When she didn't immediately move, he bent around her and picked up the bottle himself. Penny stood frozen as he worked the condition in. Then he picked up the wash cloth and added body wash to it. He started with her back and arms before reaching around to her stomach. When he moved up to her chest, Penny gasped. When he moved below her waist, she grabbed his hand and tried to move away.

Sheldon turned her to face him. Penny looked at the fire in his eyes. She struggled to keep from glancing down at the hard length pressed against her stomach. Sheldon leaned in and pressed his lips to hers tenderly.

"You don't believe that I love you. I understand that. But it doesn't change anything. I am not going away, Penny. Unless you can tell me that you don't love me, and can never love me, I will be right here with you. I want you to give me a chance. Give us a chance." Sheldon hung the wash cloth up and turned off the water.

He stepped out of the tub and pulled her out after him. Penny grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around herself. Sheldon watched her closely as he dried off. He pulled on the clean pajamas he had brought with him and watched her hurriedly dry off and dress.

Without another word he took her hand and led her down the hall to her bedroom. He walked her over to the bed and sat her down. He moved around to the other side and slipped in. He pulled her down beside him and tucked her in close to his body. "Get some sleep, Penny. We'll talk more in the morning."

When the women came in an hour later, they looked at the couple sleeping soundly. They walked back down to the kitchen and sat down. Mary sighed. "What should we do?" she asked.

Missy shrugged. "He needs to do this himself, Momma."

Meemaw nodded. "All we can do is hope. Hope he finds a way to make her understand, hope she loves him enough to listen."