Halo night had been canceled because Howard and Raj had taken the girls to a special star gazing program at the conservatory and Leonard was working late. So, Penny suggested they go to the bowling alley. 30 minutes later she was munching on nachos, sipping on a beer, wishing she had a video camera. After another 30 minutes, a small crowd had begun to gather and she was taking bets between handfuls of jujubes.

Penny made a mental note to only take Sheldon and Wil somewhere if there was a chance that there was anything competitive going on. And to bring a camera. They were like two Chihuahuas yipping and yapping at each other. It was hilarious to watch. They argued about form. They bickered about scores. They quarreled about the best approach. They squabbled about the easiest way to knock down a split. They were actually on their third game before they realized that Penny wasn't playing, and that there was a crowd behind them. They flushed with embarrassment as Penny slow clapped and the rest of the bowlers began to join in.

Penny smothered a giggle as they chastised her for taking bets on them. Then they had the audacity to insist she buy them all milkshakes with her profits. When Leonard came in from work, he wasn't sure if he was more stunned by the fact that Wil Wheaton and Sheldon were both sitting on the couch, or by the fact that they were teaching Mystic Warlords of Ka'a to Penny.

Penny was frowning intently on her cards as she sipped her banana milkshake. "So, I have the Potion of Zancor. If I play that can my Enchanted Bunny beat your suped-up Rotting Zombie?"

Wil looked up from his cards. "Do you have the Carrot of Power?" Penny shook her head no. "Then no," he answered.

"Umm, wanna catch me up?" Leonard asked with a trace of envy.

Penny looked over her shoulder at him. "Worked, bowling, ice cream, playing cards. That help?"

Leonard took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "No. Not really. I'm going to need a bit more than that."

Sheldon looked over at him and shrugged. "Well, Penny worked, and Wil and I kept her company. Afterwards we went bowling. Once we left the bowling alley, Penny treated us to milkshakes. Then we came back here and decided to teach Penny to play Mystic Warlords of Ka'a. Does that clarify things for you?"

Leonard opened his mouth a couple of times and then shook his head. He walked back to his bedroom and closed the door. He threw himself across the bed and decided to just go to sleep and try to make sense of it in the morning.

The trio in the living room went back to their game. "Okay, what about my water nymph? Can she drown your rotting zombie?"

Leonard couldn't help feeling that he was missing out on something. He looked over at his friends as they waited on the valet to bring around the car. This weekend they had all cut loose, even Sheldon, much to everyone's surprise. They had played some slots and blackjack, seen Tom Jones (at Penny's insistence) and generally had a good time. Last night, Penny had splurged on champagne for everyone, and the rest of the night was kind of a blur. He had woken up at 6:30 am on the floor cuddling a huge teddy bear. He had no idea where it came from. Raj and Howard were on the bed sideways, their feet dangling off the edge. Sheldon had been in the bathtub, wearing his pajama pants inside out. Penny hadn't returned to her room, either. She had been sprawled across the couch, snoring. Now, they were all very hung over and queasy. Especially Penny and Sheldon. They must have drunken the most because both of them were slightly green and grumpy. He wondered if they had an argument. They were studiously avoiding each other. Finally the car showed up and Penny practically launched herself into the back seat, pulling Raj in beside her. Sheldon mechanically seated himself in the front, and spent the trip home looking out the window.

The moment he heard the key slide into the lock across the hall, Sheldon stood up and opened the door. Leonard immediately moved to the armchair, so Penny could have her usual seat. Sheldon stepped into the hall and paused when Penny looked up with a snarl. He started to speak, but Penny pointed a finger at him. "Not. A. Word. Cooper. I am so pissed at you right now, I'll do bodily harm if you say even the slightest thing!" She stormed into her apartment and slammed the door. He heard her turn the lock and engage the deadbolt.

Slowly he moved back into his apartment. Penny was furious with him. Penny was never furious with him. Well, except for Vegas, and they both swore to never bring that back up. She might get annoyed or aggravated, but she never even got really mad. His body twitched and he looked at his friends.

"What's going on? Why is Penny mad at you?" Howard asked.

"Because he told his sister to stay away from her," Anya said softly. "Missy accidentally let it slip when they were talking last night."

Everyone looked at her in astonishment. She looked around the room. "Penny told Bernadette who told me. She was really upset. She said Sheldon has been trying to keep a lot of people away from her. Especially at the store. Then when she found out he had warned Missy away also, she got really mad."

Leonard looked at Sheldon with surprise. "Why would you do that? Penny is your friend."

Sheldon turned and walked back out of the apartment and over to Penny's door. He could feel his friend's eyes on him, but he ignored that.

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

He could see her shadow under the door and he sighed. "Penny, please open up. I wasn't trying to keep you isolated from anyone. I was only trying to protect you."

He watched the shadow and knew she was listening even if she wasn't answering. "I only asked Missy not to hurt you," he said softly. "I didn't want you to be sad. If she broke your heart, it would have hurt me, too. It would have been my fault because I introduced you. And the guys at the store are lecherous imbeciles who only want to sleep with you. You deserve better than that."

The locks clicked open and Penny opened the door. She had her arms crossed over her stomach defensively. "You can't run my life, Sheldon. I'm an adult. Sometimes I'm going to do things you don't like or approve of. You don't get to make decisions for me."

He nodded and looked at her solemnly. "I am truly sorry, Penny. It was not my intent to try to regulate you. I only sought to protect you from a negative emotional state."

Penny stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist loosely. "You can't though. I'm going to be sad on occasion. I'm going to be let down sometimes."

Sheldon slipped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. "I don't like that."

Penny shrugged. "Nothing either one of us can do about it, sweetie. It's just life."

With a sigh, Sheldon release her. "So I'm forgiven?"

Penny grinned. "Maybe. Can I sit in your spot?"

Sheldon mock glared. "I'd rather you be mad."

Penny laughed and took his hand in hers. She shut her door and pulled him into 4A where she plopped down beside Anya and Sheldon sat down beside her. Leonard dished out the pizza and they settled in for a night of anime.