It took three hours, but finally every costume was hanging up. Bernadette made tea and they all returned to 4A where there was room to sit down. Penny lasted almost two minutes before she was sound asleep. Somehow her head ended up in Sheldon's lap, her feet by Howard's lap and both were hesitant to move her, as tired a she was. Charlie only shook his head at her.

"She's her own worst enemy sometimes," he said sadly. "So, who's this Amy chick that dumped her and tore her down?"

"So she knows about Amy?" Howard asked. "We just found out tonight."

Charlie frowned. "Happened last weekend. Pen called Shannon and cried on her shoulder about it. Then when we didn't hear anymore, I came to scope out the situation. Shannon is 8 months pregnant and we kinda forgot what time of the year it is. Should have known she'd bury herself in work."

"Umm, not that it's any of my business, but wouldn't your wife, her sister, be upset you kissed Penny?" Leonard asked.

Charlie laughed. "Nah. I've had to do it before. Penny is a ...whatchamacallit, tactile person by nature. When she's cracking up the only way to break her out of her rut is to distract her senses. Usually we have her girl/boy friend do it, but I've had to do it before. Although last time she kicked me for it. Square in the nuts. Best remember that if one of you ever has to break her out. She may be grateful one time, and pissed the next. Luckily it's usually only a once or twice a year thing. The end of summer is busy as hell with plays, parades, and parties. Sometimes Christmas can get this bad, but not always. Penny is a perfectionist when it comes to costumes."

Howard nodded. "Yes, the ones she has worn to the comic book store are very realistic. She obviously devotes a great deal of research to them."

"Umm, you said girl slash boyfriends," Leonard said a bit eagerly. "Is the gay thing something new with Penny?"

Charlie glanced at Sheldon who didn't seem particularly interested in the answer. In fact he seemed to be trying to hold back a smile as he watched Penny mumble in her sleep. "Nope. She only dated girls in high school. She had a boyfriend or two afterwards, but they never lasted long or got very intimate. Mostly it's always been women for Penny." The short guy looked unhappy, but Sheldon was leaning down a bit, trying to catch what she was saying, not even paying attention to what Charlie had said.

Charlie felt a bit bad for the guy. He was heading for a heartbreak. Nothing he could do about it, though. He stood and stretched his back a bit. "Well, people. It's late, my flight was long, and I'm going to go sack out on Penny's bed."

"Oh, okay," Leonard said. "Umm, she can just sleep here. On the couch. I'll keep an eye on her."

Sheldon looked up and regarded Leonard strangely. Something about his tone didn't set right with Sheldon. He gently shook Penny's shoulder and woke her up. As soon as she opened her eyes, he slid out from under her head, stood and pulled her up off the couch. "You need to go to bed, Penny. Your brother-in-law is using yours, so you can have mine. I'll sleep on the couch. You won't get proper REM sleep out here and you need it more than I do."

Penny mumbled an incoherent protest, but Sheldon simply ignored her and guided her down the hall. He maneuvered her into his room with a small amount of difficulty since she was already beginning to fall asleep again. He helped her lay down on the bed, and he took off her shoes. He wondered if he should get her some pajamas to wear, but her shorts and tee shirt would suffice. He pulled the blanket up over her and went to walk out of the room.

"Sheldon?" she called softly. He leaned back down and she gave his arm a weak pull. "Your bed. Share. Okay?"

Sheldon blushed a deep red. He felt his stomach clench. "Surely you don't mean…." Penny scooted over sluggishly and gave the bed a couple of pats before yawning again.

"C'me on," she mumbled. "Bed."

Sheldon stalled a bit, and then made up his mind. His friend had made a request of him. It was as simple as that. He ignored the twitching over his eye. He grabbed his pajamas, and hurried to the bathroom. A quick shower (a bit cooler than normal) and he walked back toward his room, ignoring the people watching.

"Sheldon, where are you going?" Leonard asked crossly.

Sheldon sighed and looked back at his friends. "Penny has requested I stay with her. I see no point in arguing with her when she is in dire need of sleep. Goodnight."

Leonard followed him down the hall. "You're going to sleep with Penny?!"

Sheldon looked at his roommate with exasperation. "Leonard, my friend needs sleep. She has made a request of me. I will not argue with you about this. You and I both know Penny sees both of us as strictly friends. It's no different than if I shared a bed with you or Raj. Now, good night." Sheldon opened his door and slipped inside.

He was glad he had hurried, when he saw Penny had been struggling to stay awake long enough to know he hadn't been forced to give up his bed completely. He hesitated a moment, but Penny called out softly.

"BMG. Need sleep."

He slid in and laid on his back, trying not to disturb her. After a second, Penny rolled over and snuggled up to his side. In the blink of an eye she was fast asleep. Sheldon breathed in her scent and smiled tenderly. He eased his arm under her head and curled it around her shoulder.

Soon he was fast asleep too.