Sheldon looked at the clock and fidgeted. Penny had been gone 2 weeks and he was really missing her. She called every night, though, at exactly 9 pm. She knew how strict his routine was and so she called when she knew his shower was over and he was about to go to bed. Except tonight. It was 10:15 and she still hadn't called. Sheldon had thought about calling her, but he was worried he would wake the baby, or her family. She had told him how hard it was to get the baby to sleep, and how friends and family kept calling and waking the baby.

Sheldon looked up at his ceiling wondered if she was okay. She had been sounding tired the last couple of days. His phone suddenly buzzed, alerting him to a text. He grabbed it up and read it with relief.

Theres a huge storm here. Reception is sketchy. Miss U. Hope U R fine.

Sheldon grinned as his fingers flew over the keys.

Penny, I am well. It would appear that I need to buy you a dictionary, though. U and R are letters of the alphabet, not entire words. Dr. Sheldon L. Cooper

A few minutes later he received another text, and he snickered when he read it. He listened carefully and made sure Leonard was still sleeping. He didn't want to explain what was making him laugh.

Sweetie, U go rite ahead and by that dictionary. But make it a small 1, otherwise, UR going 2 have a hard time sitting when I whoop UR butt w/it. :P

Penny, threats of violence will not deter me from endeavoring to improve your vocabulary. Do you have an itinerary for your return to Pasadena? Dr. Sheldon L. Cooper

A few minutes later he frowned and sighed heavily.

Not 4 a week or so more. Sis has lots of pain from c-section. Staples come out nxt wk. I'll let U know. Take care. XOXO

Penny, please get plenty of rest. I will continue to collect your mail and water your plants. Sheldon hesitated for a moment. Quickly he finished the message and hit send before he could change his mind. I miss you, as well. Dr. Sheldon L. Cooper

It was 9:30 am and all the guys were watching Star Trek TOS when the door opened. They all watched with surprise as a wild mass of blonde hair set atop a slim, pajama-clad body meandered toward the kitchen slowly, empty coffee cup clutched in one hand tightly. A voice mumbled from the blonde tangles.

"caffeine"

The guys glanced at each other hesitantly. Sheldon stood and cautiously approached. "Penny?"

One green eye opened and peered up at him with irritation. She shoved the mug under his nose and shook it. "caffeine!"

Sheldon gulped and hurried over to the counter to start a pot of coffee. When he turned back around Penny was seated at the table, her head laying on her arms. He was stunned to hear a light snore coming from the frothy snarl of hair.

Howard moved over and bent to look at what little of her face he could see. "Wow, she's really out of it."

Sheldon walked out of the apartment and looked in Penny's open door. Three suitcases had been dumped just inside the door. Sheldon looked in the bedroom, where the bed cover was badly wrinkled, and clothes were on the floor. The bathroom was even worse, with damp towels on the floor next to a large puddle of water.

He sighed and grabbed her brush. Penny must have gotten in quite early this morning. She had showered and fell into bed without drying her hair, considering the damp pillow. He left the apartment, closing the door behind him. Raj was pouring the coffee into her cup and Howard was making her some toast. Leonard was sitting across from her, trying to wake her up. Sheldon moved behind her and began attacking the tangles with her brush. He grabbed a lock of hair and gently worked the kinks out of it before moving to another section.

By the time he was done, Penny was on her second cup of coffee and pretty much coherent. She leaned on one hand and yawned widely. She tilted her head back and smiled at him tiredly. "Thanks, sweetie. You're good at that."

Sheldon shrugged. "I used to do it for my Meemaw whenever she was feeling bad. She said it was soothing."

Penny nodded slightly. "Um hmm. She's right." Penny waved her cup at Raj and he filled it for a third time. She looked around at all the guys. "I just want you four to know that I am incredibly happy to be here at this moment. Here, with you guys. In this apartment."

Leonard smiled at her and Howard reached across the table to pat her hand.

"Yep," Penny said. "With four people who don't wear diapers, need burping, or scream at all hours of the day and night. THIS is heaven."

Penny slowly stood and stretched her arms over her head. She downed the rest of the coffee in her cup and walked over to the couch. She grabbed the afghan off the arm chair and flopped down on the middle cushion. She waved the others over and gestured to the tv. "Continue with your regularly scheduled program."

Sheldon sat down and unpaused the show. He looked over at Penny as she leaned her head on his shoulder. He raised his arm, allowing her to snuggle closer and smiled slightly. "Welcome home, Penny."