A friend made a request I couldn't resist. He asked that Penny be given the moniker "whackadoodle" instead of Sheldon. So, for the first time ever, I broke down and changed a part of my story after putting it in the Doc Manager.

Penny did not show up for the movie. Or Vintage Video Game night. By now, even Howard was noticing something was wrong. It was Bernadette who had the answer. She was out of breath when she hurried through the door. She looked around quickly and shut the door. She even locked it. Sheldon, Leonard and Howard were on the couch debating on why Penny was avoiding them. Raj and Anya were on a date and Leslie was at rehearsal.

"Bernie, honey, "Howard began, "is something wrong?"

"Oh yeah." she said, her normally squeaky voice a low growl. "I saw Amy earlier." The men looked at her inquiringly. "With a woman. Who isn't Penny. They were kissing. Amy was kissing a woman who isn't Penny!"

Leonard sagged against the couch. "Oh wow. That will devastate Penny. She loves Amy."

Howard was torn between asking for details and feeling sorry for Penny.

Sheldon stood and walked over to the door. He shooed Bernadette away and unlocked it. He crossed the hall and began his signature knock on Penny's door.

After the third round of knocks, it opened to reveal a tired looking Penny. "Hey sweetie. Sorry, I fell asleep. I'll come over now." Penny shuffled out into the hall and went into 4A. She didn't do much more than give a small wave before settling into the armchair beside the couch. She leaned her head back and immediately drifted off to sleep.

Everyone looked at her strangely. "Is she drunk?" Howard asked.

Sheldon moved quickly to her side and sniffed the air, then he cautiously lifted one eye lid. He straightened back up in a perplexed manner. "She does not appear to be intoxicated. Penny is not a drug user. Her mother is a recovering addict, which has made her strongly anti-drug. I believe she is physically exhausted."

Bernadette walked back into the apartment. "Yeah," she said with wide eyes. "You can say that again." She handed Sheldon Penny's phone. Her calendar was accessed. Sheldon's eyes grew wide, then narrowed.

"If Penny has been following this schedule she is only allowing herself 2-3 hours of sleep a day. She is working at 4 different theaters, sewing and fitting costumes, the comic book store, and creating costumes for the Pasadena Middle School's annual career day. Good lord! When does she have time to eat and sleep?" According to the calendar, the next day was labeled "delivery". Sunday was unmarked by any obligations.

"So, she may not know about Amy, then," Leonard said in a whisper. "Should we tell her?"

Everyone watched at each other, looking a little lost. Sheldon sighed and reached for Penny's shoulder. He gave her a gentle shake. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him groggily.

"Penny, you should be in bed. You need sleep." he said sternly. He did not like this at all. She was working herself too hard, and would end up ill.

Penny pushed herself up into a sitting position. She covered her yawn with her hand and then suddenly slapped her own face. Sheldon grabbed for her arm to prevent her from doing it again, but she didn't attempt it. The slap did manage to wake her up a bit. "Sorry, BMG. Just a bit tired. What time is it?"

"Penny it is almost 9pm on Friday. You need sleep." Leonard said gently.

Penny shot up from the seat. "9?! Crap! I have to box the robes for the parade…." she began mumbling to herself as she hurried from the apartment. She was already in her place when the others caught up. They all gaped at the living room. At least a dozen rolling clothes racks were shoved into the area. Most were half full of costumes. Penny came rushing out of her bedroom with a stack of papers, checking off items on a list. She looked around and snagged a teal skirt and quickly added it to the hanger holding a white pheasant blouse with teal trim. She squeezed past Howard and added it to a rack. A burgundy robe was next placed on hanger and added to a rack.

Someone in the doorway cleared their throat, making everyone but Penny look. The guys immediate reaction was alarm. He was at least 3 inches taller than Sheldon and a hundred pounds heavier. His hair fell past his shoulders and his arms were covered in tattoos. He shoved his hair back, revealing ear crescents shaped like dragon tails. The guy watched Penny for a few seconds and shook his head. "Looney tunes," he muttered.

He moved past the guys and walked over to where Penny was staring at her lists. He took them out of her hands as she was flipping through the hangers on a rack. Then, to everyone's surprise he grabbed her up and kissed her hard. It wasn't a passionate kiss, the man simply pressed his lips hard against hers and held them there.

Everyone was starting to get really uncomfortable as it continued. After exactly 24 seconds, by Sheldon's count, Penny's arms slid up around the guy's neck. She tugged on a handful of hair and he drew back. She beamed up at the guy and he gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Candle, darlin'. Gotta remember the candle."

Penny laughed loudly and wiggled until he set her free. Just then she noticed the others. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed Sheldon and pulled him forward. "Charlie, this is Sheldon, my best friend ever. Sheldon this is my brother-in-law, Charlie. He used to be my best friend until he married my sister. Oh, and Charlie, that's Leonard, Howard and Bernadette. Some of my other close friends."

Charlie nodded to them all and turned to regard Sheldon closely. He smiled suddenly and nodded once. Charlie looked around the room with a sigh. "Shannon was right. You're overworking again, ya whackadoodle. Come on. Gimme a list and lets get this done."

Penny grimaced. "It's my busiest season. When work is scarcer in the winter, the money I make now will tide me over."

Charlie rolled his eyes. He looked at Sheldon and smirked. "I am so glad that 11 months and three weeks out of the year she is your problem now." He looked back at Penny and rolled his eyes. "Seriously, doll. You're burning that candle at both ends again and you're caught up in the middle." Penny punched his arm and handed him some papers.

Before she could turn away, Sheldon gripped her arm, and moved her over to the couch. He took all the papers from her and spread them out on the coffee table. He may not understand social convention, but Sheldon knew everything about organization. "Okay, we will bring you items, you check them off and tell us where to hang them. No getting up off that seat, Penny. You are tired, overworked and liable to fall asleep standing up. Now, where does this beaded …thing go?"