Halloween (October 31st)

Penny looked at herself in the mirror and adjusted the skirt of her costume one last time. She walked back into Priya's living room and looked at her friends. They were meeting the guys at Stuart's for the Halloween party. She knew they were dressing as Universal Monsters. Raj was Dracula, Leonard was Frankenstein, Howard was the Wolfman and Sheldon was the Phantom of the Opera.

Unbeknownst to the guys, the girls were dressing appropriately. Priya was the Bride of Frankenstein, Bernadette was Gwen Conliffe, Amy was Mina Murray, and she was Christine Daae. She was even wearing an irritating wig, because she knew how much authenticity mattered to Sheldon. Oh the things she did for that man, she groused internally.

"Well, ladies, I think we're as ready as we'll ever be," Bernadette said. "They should be there in a couple of minutes. Shall we head out?"

Amy smiled widely. "I can't wait to see their faces when we appear. Sheldon has been trying to get me to tell him what our costumes would be all week long."

Penny nodded. "He even pouted all night yesterday when I wouldn't tell him. I had to threaten to sleep on the couch before he would quit asking."

The girls giggled, still a bit shocked by idea of Sheldon being interested in sex. They headed out to the parking garage eagerly. The full skirts and bustles on the dresses made it a tight squeeze.

Sheldon and Stuart were discussing the newest issue of Justice League when Sheldon suddenly gulped and his eyes bugged out. He felt his palms grow damp as he took in the alarming amount of cleavage Penny was showing. Her corseted gown left little to the imagination. He left Stuart in mid sentence and hurried over. He gulped and swept off his cape. He settled it over her shoulders and turned red at Leonard's smirk.

Penny quirked an eyebrow at him. "Problem, sweetie?"

Sheldon glared down at her. "Oh, no. I have no problem with my significant other displaying her bosom to the entire room."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Sheldon, it's a costume party. I showed more than this last year at the Cal-Tech party. I show more than this when I go to the beach."

Sheldon drew her into a corner of the store. "Last year you were not my girlfriend and I had no say over your attire. Oh, and you can't go to the beach anymore."

Penny felt her temper begin to rise. "What exactly are you saying, Sheldon?"

He drew himself to his full height. "I am saying that costume is completely inappropriate. I forbid you to publicly display yourself in such an inappropriate way."

Penny struggled to keep her voice even and her temper under control. "This is an exact replica of the dress from the 1925 movie worn by Mary Philbin."

Sheldon voice was practically a growl. "Mary Philbin didn't fill it out like you do."

Penny took a steadying breath. "What exactly is your objection to this dress?"

Sheldon pulled her nearer as a man in a Han Solo costume edged closer. "You are giving every man in this store an inappropriate look at your body!"

"So, I'm dressed like a slut?" she asked in an unemotional voice.

He pulled her further into the corner. "Penny," he said harshly, "as my girlfriend I expect you to dress more in keeping with that status."

Without a word Penny turned and walked over to Priya. She whispered in the Indian woman's ear and then walked straight out the door. Sheldon stared after her open mouthed. He looked over at Priya who was glaring at him. Amy and Bernadette hurried over to Priya who spoke softly to them. Amy looked at Sheldon with anger and hurried out the door. Bernadette said something to Howard and followed Amy. Priya walked over, the guys following her cautiously.

"Penny wanted to surprise you by dressing as the counterpoint to your costume. To that end she has spent the last three weeks sewing that dress by hand. She spent countless hours researching and making it. All for you. Don't expect her home tonight. She asked if she could stay with me. Excuse me, but we girls don't feel much like partying tonight."

Howard glared at Sheldon. "Thanks, pal."

Leonard looked at him with narrow eyes. "Good going."

Raj just shook his head disapprovingly.

Sheldon sighed and looked out the front window as Priya's car pulled away. Now what should he do?

Knock, knock, knock. "Priya?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Priya?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Priya?"

Priya opened her door and glared at Sheldon. He sighed and looked over Priya's shoulder, causing her to close the door a few inches. "May I speak to Penny, please?"

"Why?" Priya asked in her best stern lawyer voice.

"You know very well why," Sheldon said. "Now, please ask Penny to come to the door."

Priya started to close the door, and Sheldon shoved his foot in the way. Priya opened the door in order to slam it, and Penny appeared at her side.

"I'll listen to him," she said softly. Priya glared at him and walked a few feet away. Penny looked at him calmly. "What is it?" she asked.

Sheldon sighed and shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. "Penny, I am sorry."

Penny crossed her arms and waited.

He huffed and looked her in the eye. "For upsetting you."

Penny's fingers drummed on her forearms impatiently.

"I am ..." Sheldon swallowed distastefully, "an idiot."

Penny remained silent but her eyes softened.

Sheldon smiled slightly and reached out to cup her cheek. "I was jealous and I shouldn't have been. You mean more to me than anything and I deeply regret hurting you. I know you love me as much as I love you. Forgive me?"

Penny smiled and uncrossed her arms. "Who fed you those lines?"

Raj stepped out of the shadows with a small wave, followed by Howard and Leonard. "Can we have our women back now?" Howard asked.

Penny laughed and opened the door all the way. She wrapped her arms around Sheldon and kissed him, and to her surprise, he kissed her back in front of everyone. Sheldon blushed and ignored the cat calls from his friends.

"I do love you," he murmured in her ear.

Penny nodded. "I love you too, sweetie."