A/N: Hello all! Here's the latest chapter, I apologize for the delay again, it seems life is determined to get in the way of creativity. Hopefully (I know I've said it before) no other drama will happen between now and next week, if everyone crosses their fingers, anyway. Well, please read, enjoy, and review please!

Copper cradled the phone between her ear and her shoulder.

"Mama, it's fine. Y'all don't have to come all the way out here."

Her mother's voice crackled through the connection, the musical tones of her accent both comforting and irritating.

"Baby, it's your birthday next week. Don't you know how long it's been since I've seen you?"

The redhead bit back a groan, lifting her eyes skywards and silently praying for patience. She loved her mother, truly. The woman was kind, compassionate, and a brilliant biologist who had made leaps in the study of the local amphibious wildlife of Nebraska in the last ten, fifteen years. However, she could lay a guilt trip that would have had made a grizzly bear want to become a vegetarian.

"Four months, Mama, I know, but that's an awfully long drive for y'all to make," Copper protested weakly, attempting to juggle the bag of groceries she was putting away and the phone conversation she was desperately wishing was over.

"Don't be silly, sweetheart, your father and I don't have any plans at the moment. Besides, getting out of the house will do him good. I know he's anxious to meet this new boyfriend of yours."

Copper dropped her head, her palm smacking into her forehead as she sighed quietly.

"Mama, I-I don't know if nows the time to meet Sheldon. I mean, we're both working long hours and he's-well he's-"

"Just going to have to deal with it, both of you. Now, we're going to be out there in a few days and I don't want to hear any more arguments."

Copper lifted her head and rolled her eyes heavenward, wondering just who or what she had pissed off recently to deserve this.

"Alright, Mama, alright. I am looking forward to seeing you and Dad. But please call me and keep me posted on your travel plans. I know he hates flying, but overnight stays on the road aren't cheap, you know that."

"Yes, yes, darling, I know, but getting that man on a plane is like pulling pig's teeth and hardly worth that much effort. I'll call you soon. I love you."

"Love you too, Mama. Bye."

The conversation disconnected and Copper dropped her elbow, tossing the phone carelessly onto the bar. She walked around the island in her kitchen and flopped facedown onto the couch, letting out a frustrated scream into the cushions. Her arms folded over her head as she tried to find some calm, rational way to handle the latest development in her life. Finally, her head lifted and she shook it slowly, her feet waving in the air.

"This isn't going to go over well," she muttered to no one in particular.

Sheldon was not ready for this, not at all. Hell, he was barely able to handle being in their relationship as it stood. Copper wasn't pushing him towards anything, physically or otherwise, and she knew he was grateful for that. Yes, it could be frustrating when he couldn't adequately express how he may or may not feel about her, but she understood that when she had agreed to give it a chance. Copper let out a breath as she moved to rest on her elbows, blowing upwards and stirring the errant curl that had dropped into her eyes before it floated back into the exact same place. Meeting her parents was going to be a disaster, the only question was how much damage was going to be done, so she might as well brace for it.

She hardly even noticed the door opening.

"That's a very hard look for this early in the day," Leonard observed as he closed the door behind him and Copper glanced up briefly.

"It's warranted, I assure you," she replied, her chin cupped in her palms as she tilted her head at him, "Need a place to lay low for a bit, eh?"

He gave her a sheepish smile, his fingers twisting around themselves.

"Penny's in rare form," he said with a nervous smile before he wiped his hands on his jeans and took a seat in her large armchair.

Copper's eyebrow lifted.

"What exactly did you say?"

"How do you know it was my fault?" he shot back and she just chuckled.

"Because if it was her fault, she would have called me by now to vent about it."

Leonard's brow furrowed.

"Wouldn't it be more likely for her to call you when she's right about something?"

Copper shook her head.

"When she's wrong, she goes looking for people to support her because she knows without it, she's blowing nothing but hot air. And she wants someone to tell her what the right thing to do is. Penny's not the type to garner support to prove when she's right about something, she's too confident for that."

"Oh, yeah, that makes sense," his agreement was accompanied by a slow nod.

"So, to reiterate, what did you do?"

He looked down at his hands.

"I, uh, I might have expressed my, um, discontent, with some of the choices of viewing material made for me...and the views expressed in said material."

Copper looked at him askance.

"You had the audacity to question the art form that is reality television? Oh, you poor man! I'm surprised that you came out of that unscathed."

"Yes, well, it was a near thing."

Unable to maintain a serious countanence any longer, Copper laughed softly.

"Well, at least you understand your mistake and I assume, you'll admit to her that reality tv does possess some merit, however minute?"

He shot her a glare, but then grinned, her amusement apparently somewhat infectious.

She stood up and padded back into the kitchen, opening the fridge and plucking up two cans of soda. Tossing one to Leonard, she cracked hers open and drank deeply. He watched her for a long moment.

"So, your turn, what's bothering you?"

Copper lowered her can and set it on a coaster, flopping back onto the couch.

"My parents are coming for a visit...for my birthday."

"Oh shit," he breathed out and she nodded with a wry smile as he added, "Have you told Sheldon yet?"

She shook her head.

"No and I was debating how to go about it when you came in. And what kind of triage I needed to set up for the probably rather problematic aftermath."

"You don't sound very hopeful."

"I'm not, but of course, if you knew my father, you'd know why."

Leonard grimaced.

"I've...heard stories."

Copper took another long swig of her soda, wishing it was something just a little stronger, despite the early hour.

"We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe."

Leonard gave her a puzzled look.

"I'm going to guess Dickinson?"

She shook her head with a smile.

"Johann von Goethe. I swear he wrote that knowing people like my Dad."

"Aren't you exaggerating just a little? I mean, do you really think your father needs professional help?"

Shaking her head again, Copper looked him dead in the eye.

"There is no hospital on earth that could manage him. But, no, I don't think that. What I know is that he is eccentric and that he is going to drive Sheldon up the wall."

Leonard grinned at that, leaning forward and balancing his forearms on his thighs.

"It would be worth almost any price to see that."

Her lips twitched.

"Yeah, it would, wouldn't it?"

There was a comfortable silence for a time before Leonard spoke again.

"You know, Copper, I think you're selling Sheldon a bit short," she looked over at him questioningly and he held up a hand, "No, no, hear me out. What guarentee do you have that he won't be on his best behavior? You have to admit that he's been trying very hard to make this work with you."

Copper hummed under her breath.

"You have a point, Leonard I-I hadn't thought of that. Still, wouldn't it be better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, as they say?"

Leonard nodded, his brows drawing together.

"Yes, I think that'd be the plan to go with."

"I would be inclined to agree," she replied raising her can to him in a mock salute, "And, I suppose, being as straightforward about my concerns as possible. Well, more likely warn him that my father's conversation topics are not going to be his cup of tea."

Leonard took a sip.

"I would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation."

She eyed him evenly, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

"No, you wouldn't."

Later that same day, after Leonard had felt it was relatively safe to come out of hiding, Copper was watering some of her plants, her mind humming quietly with activity. Raising the lip of the pitcher, she wiped the rim with a finger and smiled softly. The lilies had died long ago, but the gift had sparked an appreciation for flora in her apartment. The door opened withoput preamble and inquisitive grey eyes met playful green.

"What's going on Bandit?" the question was thrown over her shoulder as she padded into the kitchen to set the pitcher in the sink.

"I hear the Frog Lady is coming, with her ever faithful sidekick, Batty Loon."

Copper couldn't help the smile that spread across her features, shooting her friend a sidelong glance as she turned.

"You're just lucky they found those names amusing, my dear, otherwise you would have found yourself under Lake Marion in January."

"Nah," Penny replied as she strode over to plop onto one end of the couch, "they love me like another daughter."

Coper's brow quirked as she sat down on the other end, leaning back against the arm of the sofa.

"Why do you think my brother stopped ice skating?"

Penny's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise before they curved into a knowing smirk.

"That also explains his extraordinary breath holding skills underwater when he-"

The redhead held up a hand with a shudder.

"Don't go there! I do not need that imagery floating around in my head tonight when I go to sleep."

The smirk widened into a grin.

"So is Malachi coming out with them?"

"Why? Are you hopeful?" Her tone was a mixture of suspicion and amusement.

"We were good friends back in high school!" Penny protested, but Copper's expression revealed that she was unconvinced.

"Yes, I remember quite well. How could I ever forget prom night when I found you two on the top of my car?" Copper paused with a puzzled frown, then added, "And how did you manage that position anyway?"

Penny pointed both her index fingers towards her chest.

"Cheerleader," she said simply and the answer was more than an adequate explanation. Then she tilted her head, blond locks escaping from her ponytail to frame her face, "Have you told Sheldon yet?"

Copper sighed, crossing her arms loosely as she brought her legs up and bent them at the knee, her frown deepening.

"No, I was going to bring it up tomorrow night when he comes over for dinner."

Penny regarded her quietly for a moment.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and state the obvious: you're nervous as hell."

"Indeed, I am. Penny, I'm just not sure that Sheldon's ready for this. I'm seriously considering having a visit without him...at least, this time around."

The blonde woman leaned forward, draping her arms over her thighs as she crossed her legs, her expression one of concern.

"You're really worked up about this, huh?"

Copper only nodded, chewing on her bottom lip as her eyes focused intently on the back of the couch. Penny reached out and squeezed her hand.

"Stop agonizing over it and just talk to the man. I'm sure that-"

Copper held up her hand again.

"Think that one through, luv."

"Oh, right...nevermind."

They exchanged a look before it was replaced with twin grins. Feeling a little better, Copper twisted around to grab the remote from the end table behind her.

"How about we catch that Munsters marathon on tv?"

Penny's green eyes sparkled.

"Seriously? I haven't seen that show since we were kids at your grandmother's place that summer!"

"Nostalgia, the vice of the aged," Copper quipped and Penny swatted at her arm as the familiar theme music began.

A couple of hours passed amiably, though Copper was still rather distracted. A nudge in her ribs from Penny's elbow brought her musings to an end.

"How can you ignore Grandpa's misadventures as a shapeshifter who forgets how to shift?"

Copper shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm just really, really distracted."

Penny gave her a skeptical look.

"You've got to be. That episode is your favorite."

Letting out a sigh, Copper gave her a sheepish smile.

"I know, I know."

"Wanna change channels?"

"I actually have a better idea."

The blonde beauty looked at her friend curiously as she stood and moved to her shelves, selecting a colorfully decorated DVD case. Popping in the disc, Copper grinned, propping her fist against her cheek. A large green monster roared onto the screen and Penny rolled her eyes.

"Godzilla? Seriously? This show's crappier than those little blue Smurfs."

Copper held a finger with a glare.

"Careful, them's fightin' words."

Penny raised both of her hands in a gesture of peace.

"Alright, alright, your apartment, your show."

A series of knocks interrupted Copper off before she could reply.

*knock, knock, knock*

"Copper!"

*knock, knock, knock*

"Copper!"

*knock, knock, knock*

"Copper!"

The woman frowned mildly.

"I wonder what he's doing here," she murmured.

"I thought you said he wasn't coming by until tomorrow night?" Penny asked and Copper nodded as she stood and padded towards the door.

"He wasn't, it's Halo night, after all."

She threw open the door and Sheldon nodded to her briefly.

"Good afternoon, Copper. I apologize for dropping in without warning, but I found that I was presented with no other options. Would you mind if I came in?"

"Of-of course not, Sheldon, please," she stepped aside and gestured for him to enter, "I'm just pleasantly surprised to see you, that's all."

"Believe me," he replied, turning to look at her with a frown, "I would not be here except that I find Bernadette and Howard's vulgar, unnecessary public displays of affection rather offputting. It has ruined Halo night at home, but I was hoping that perhaps you would indulge me with the pleasure of your company during a friendly bout here in your apartment."

Copper blinked a moment before giving him a small smile.

"Certainly, Sheldon, I'd be glad to. Would it be alright if Penny joined us since she's already here? We were going to have a kind of impromptu girl's night."

That was when he finally noticed her and Penny waved at him with a wry close-lipped smile.

"Hi, Sheldon."

The physicist looked at her in surprise.

"Oh, hello, Penny, I didn't realize you were present," he turned again to Copper with a contrite expression, "Forgive me for intruding on your plans, Copper."

She brushed her fingers over his arm gently as she slipped by him, the closest she was allowed to get to him in front of other people.

"That's quite alright, Sheldon, you're always welcome here."

She didn't see his blue eyes widen nor the slight blush that tinged his cheeks at her words. Instead, she moved into the kitchen and fixed a glass of ice before pouring a can of diet coke over the frozen cubes. As Sheldon situated himself on his spot, Copper handed him the glass, which he took from her with a polite nod of thanks.

She tossed a controller over to Penny and bent down to change out her DVD for the game, her bottom lip promptly disappearing between her teeth. Aware of the motion, she released it when she turned around, giving Sheldon the third controller as she grasped the second.

This was not planned, but perhaps she should broach the subject of her parents. The game finally loaded and Penny selected their battlefield. Copper played automatically, her mind divided between strategy and uncertainty. It was only fair that she warn Sheldon about their arrival, but she worried about how he was going to react. And how was he going to react when they were here? Would he even want to come and meet them?

She let out a breath as a grenade blew her character skyhigh. Worrying over it wasn't going to get her answers. It was best to simply ask him.

For the moment, however, she need to concentrate enough to remind Penny who had taught her how to fire a gun in the first place.

An hour later and Copper felt a great deal more relaxed. Setting down her controller, she reached her arms high over her head to stretch. Penny mimicked her motion.

"Well, I'm calling it a night. See you later, Smokey. Good night, Sheldon."

Sheldon seemed to want to protest, clearly still wanting to continue to play, but he seemed to think better of it, merely bidding the blonde a good night. When the door was shut firmly behind her, Copper debated with herself for a long moment. Coming to a decision, she looked over.

"Sheldon, you know that my birthday is next week, yes?"

He frowned disapprovingly at her, crossing his arms loosely.

"I thought you would know better than to question my memory, Copper."

"Of course, but that wasn't the purpose of my question. It was a conversation starter."

"An odd one," he commented in a dry tone and she chuckled softly.

"Yes, I should have realized that before I asked. However, to get to the point," Copper hesitated again before taking a deep breath, "Sheldon, my parents will be here next week to visit me for that occasion."

"Oh, I see," he paused before giving her a hesitantly pleasant look, "I'm sure you are delighted. I understand that you have close familial ties based on what you have told me and others in my presence."

Copper nodded, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, I am very pleased at the prospect of seeing them. But, they also mentioned that-well, that-"

Grey eyes lifted heavenwards, wondering why it was so difficult for her to tell him such a simple thing. Obviously, Sheldon's mind was wandering a similiar track, because his frown deepened.

"What exactly are you trying to both tell and not tell me, Copper?"

She let out a bark of laughter.

"Spending time around Penny and myself has seemingly assisted you in improving your communication skills."

The corner of his lips lifted briefly.

"Perhaps," he replied enigmatically.

"Well, what I suppose I'm trying to tell you is that, they want to meet you."

Sheldon's expression was blank, then he seemed pleased.

"Oh? I have to say that I am thus looking forward to meeting them. I've read a number of your mother's articles and I found her research fascinating."

Copper gave him a warm smile.

"I think you'l both get along quite well. She is a very logical and methodical person. Spock approved, as it were."

He chuckled.

"Well, if you believe so, then I will take you on your word," he tilted his head, "But you haven't mentioned your father and I assume that there is a specific reason for that omission?"

Copper nodded quietly.

Here goes nothing.