Chapter five:

At eleven o'clock, Penny opened the door. "Were you going to knock forever?" She asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Sheldon replied.

Leonard shook his head. "He always does that. Three of three."

"Sounds like the way I drink shots." She appraised them before letting them in. "Did you find them?"

"Find which?" Sheldon was staring around him in horror. "A cacophony of clutter? Yes, right here!" He started picking up papers and stacking them obsessively.

"We got a few leads." Leonard nodded vaguely, his eyes intent on her. "Would you say I'm beastly?"

"Don't be silly," she waved at him in annoyance. "You're a doll. Now what is HE doing?"

"Organizing!" Leonard sighed.

"You beast." She threw a pillow at Sheldon, hitting him square in the back.

He turned around and pulled out his gun. "Excuse me?"

She grabbed hers off the sideboard and pointed it at him.

"Oh no. No, no, no, this isn't good." Leonard moaned.

But Sheldon wasn't looking at him, or at her, though he noted from his peripheral vision that she obviously knew how to handle a weapon. If it weren't for her obvious lack of organizational skills, he might have replaced Hofstader with her, she'd probably be more useful.

Leonard felt something hit the back of his neck, and then everything went black. Dimly he heard two shots ring out, and some swearing.

"Dammit woman!" Sheldon swore. "What are you aiming at ME for!"

"I wasn't aiming at you!"

"The hole in the wall three inches to the left of my head begs to differ ma'am!"

"If I'd wanted to hit you, it would be three inches to the right, and directly in the centre of your forehead!"

There was a snort. "Is he awake yet?"

Leonard felt a cool cloth on his forehead and he opened his eyes, staring up at Penny rapturously. "What happened?"

"A thug got you in the back of the head you dolt." Sheldon muttered. "How many times have I told you to CLOSE THE DOOR."

"It's not proper.." Leonard protested. "She's a lady.."

"I think he's concussed." Penny looked worried.

Sheldon shook his head. "He always talks like that. He's developed intentions on you."

"Oh dear. Is it contagious?" Penny backed away.

"Who did you shoot?" Leonard asked, sitting up holding his head.

"Nobody." Sheldon replied calmly. "I imagine he'll be replacing his pants soon though. That still doesn't explain why you shot at ME." He glared at Penny.

"I thought you were aiming at me!"

"If I was aiming at you, you'd be dead, and I wouldn't get paid, and what would the benefit of THAT be?"

She stared at him trying to think of something cutting to say... "You're still a beast."

"Oh blast, this is your fault Hofstader."

"What did I do?" Leornard squeaked.

"Nothing, you fell down on the job, now, you didn't answer me, are you ill?" Penny frowned at him.

"I'm fine." Leonard mumbled. "Someone catch me up."

"Yee-haw." Sheldon muttered darkly, glaring at him.

"Sheldon, I'm sure she didn't mean..."

"Oh." Penny smiled at Sheldon widely. "Do you ride too?"