Since Sheldon had taken the day off work in order to see Missy off, he spent the rest of it with Penny. They watched Farscape, and they had lunch at Big Boy. He flipped through her sketch book as she showered and dressed for work. He studied the flowing gowns and head pieces she was working on. Some sort of ballroom dancing thing he suspected.

"Sheldon!"

He peered around the door of her bedroom. "Yes?"

"I need your help. My hair is caught in the zipper on my top!"

Sheldon set her sketchbook on the bed and walked to the bathroom. He opened the door and stopped. Penny looked up at him hopefully but her expression faded as she took in his. She looked back at herself and blushed. She tugged the metallic bra top up over her breasts more and turned her back to him.

"Can you get my hair out of the teeth?" she asked softly.

Sheldon slowly moved closer. The black catsuit, silver boots and belt were replicas of Barbarella's Ice Forest Explorer costume. The silver cape was laying on the bathroom counter. He moved most of her hair over her shoulder so he could see the section caught in the bra top. He gently worked it free a few strands at a time.

It took all his considerable control to keep his hands steady and his breathing even. He eyed the smooth expanse on skin that stretched across her shoulders. He longed to place a gentle kiss at the base of her neck. He finally worked the last part free and stepped back.

He took a few shallow breaths. "All done."

Penny nodded and zipped it up quickly. She turned around in time to see Sheldon turn the corner back into the living room. She bit her bottom lip. She had embarrassed him, and made him uncomfortable. Still, he had helped her though. She would make it up to him. Maybe take him to dinner before she worked.

Sheldon hurried from the room as soon as the last strand was free. The last thing he needed was for Penny to see his erection and know how affected he was by her. He wanted to move slowly, getting her interest, building something solid between them. He still remembered what she had said when she and Amy had broken up. She wanted steady and reliable. He wanted her, oh so badly, but he wanted a real chance at a long term relationship more than just a simple physical release.

After all, he could have that tonight when he replayed the image of her, bodice barely draped over one breast, long legs encased in black, pert bottom pushed out as she arched her back. Sheldon grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and gulped half of it down. He determinedly turned his mind to his equations. He needed a distraction from the desire coursing through him.

Sheldon was reminded vividly why he had spent decades suppressing his emotions. In just one day he had been cheerful with Penny and Missy this morning as they went to the airport. Then aroused with Penny in her apartment, not that he regretted the view. He got exasperated as they argued over where to grab some dinner before she went to work, before they finally agreed on the mall food so they could each get what they wanted. He had been annoyed and felt protective as the men and even a fair number of women had been mentally undressing Penny. Now he was just mad. Full-on, Texas Longhorn pissed. He stood behind the counter, arms crossed, as he watched the customers. Every few minutes Penny would look back at him and either roll her eyes or huff with annoyance. Well, too bad.

Having Penny at the store had doubled Stuart's business, especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays. More and more women came in nowadays because Penny was big on promoting the store to the theater groups she worked with. Plus, Penny was real good at making sure the girls didn't feel crowded or freaked out by the nerds. She also had a talent for helping the regulars relax when surrounded by women. A third of those new customers were guys who only bought some random book or collectable, and then spent twenty minutes flirting with Penny.

One, a Neanderthal named Kurt, was becoming a regular nuisance. He was currently draped across the counter, trying to convince Penny to give him her number. The bell over the door pealed out and he glanced over. Dread filled him. Great. Wheaton. Just what he needed when he was trying to hold on to his temper.

Wil walked over with a smug grin at Sheldon but paused when he saw the guy at the counter. He edged around the counter and slid in beside Sheldon. They looked at each other and came to a silent agreement. They spent the next few hours taking turns riding herd over the customers. Whenever one would get too friendly, or begin to pester, one would draw Penny away and the other would usher the customer out.

Sheldon breathed a sigh of relief when Penny finally rang up the last customer and locked the door. Around about 8 pm, Penny had caught on to what they were doing and she was not happy. He could see the gleam of anger in her eyes. She turned from the door and placed her hands on her hips. Wil immediately spoke up.

"It's your own fault for wearing that here. If you didn't look so sexy, we wouldn't have had to play guardians. Next time, try a burka."

Penny's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying I should hide myself? That it's wrong to want to look good?"

Sheldon spoke without thinking about it. Which was really out of the ordinary for him, and just goes to prove how much she was affecting him. "No. We're saying that you in a cat suit should be illegal. You're liable to give someone one with a weak heart a massive stroke."

Penny's jaw dropped and Wil smirked wickedly. Sheldon blushed and dropped his gaze. A soft giggle drew his eyes back to Penny just as she slumped against a table of comic book boxes and began to laugh uproariously.

Wil strolled over to stand beside him. They watched her slowly calm back down. She walked over and emptied the register and headed into the office. She needed to count the take for the night and deposit the money into Stuart's safe. As soon as the door closed he turned to Sheldon.

"You and I have had a fun rivalry. But despite what you may think, I do like you, Sheldon. From what Penny tells me, and from what I have seen myself the few times we have run into one another, you're a smart, honest guy and it's obvious you care about Penny. She's like a kid sister to me, and I'd do just about anything for her. So, I'm going to just come right out and ask you. What are your intentions toward Penny?"

Sheldon looked at Wil for several seconds and then at the office door. "To be whatever she needs me to be."