Sadie Hawkin's Day (November 13th)

Penny looked around the lawn and watched all the women jockey for position. Priya and Bernadette were stretching their legs. Amy was retying her sneakers. Penny pulled her hair up into a ponytail and smirked across the field. Sheldon was watching her intently. She knew he was relying on her. Leonard, Howard and Raj were huddled behind him, looking uneasy.

President Seibert stepped between the two groups and smiled. He raised the bullhorn and began to speak. "May I have your attention, please? Okay, welcome to the first ever Cal-Tech Sadie Hawkin's Day fundraiser race. I'll just remind everyone of the rules. When I blow the whistle, the men will take off into the park. They will have a 2 minute head start. When the two minutes is up, I will blow the whistle again. Then you ladies will make your way into the park after the men. When you have caught one, take the rubber bracelet from his wrist. Remember ladies, you can only catch one man! No harems, please."

A loud tittering rose from the group of women and Seibert grinned. "The man you catch will be your date tonight. He will pick you up in a chauffeured car, and escort you to the dinner and ball here at Cal-Tech. Now, as long as no one has any questions, we'll get ready to start."

He walked across to the edge of the lawn and raised his whistle to his lips. Sheldon gave her one last pleading look and turned toward the tree line. Seibert whistle blew and the men took off.

"That tall skinny one has a nice butt," a woman behind Penny said. "And I love those blue eyes of his."

Penny turned and looked at the brunette carefully. She was about 45, but slim and toned. Penny rotated her neck and loosened up her arms. No way was she letting any one of these women get their claws in her man. Besides, she had promised Sheldon that she would be the one to take his bracelet. Especially since he had paid the $1000 "hunting" fee himself.

She watched President Seibert watch the stop watch. The instant he raised his whistle, she was ready.

TWEEEET!

Years of jogging, yoga and running on treadmills had kept her in shape. In just a couple of seconds she was entering the wooded park, well ahead of the brunette. She raced through the trees, heading for the small pond where she knew Sheldon intended to be. Adrenalin rushed through her veins, and she laughed out loud. Two men were startled from their hiding spot behind a fallen tree trunk by the sudden noise. From the corner of her eye she saw one of the men tackled by a small bespeckled woman in a bright pink track suit.

A sound close behind her drew her attention for a second. The brunette who had noticed Sheldon was right behind her. She focused her attention on the ground ahead of her, moving as swiftly, yet carefully as possible. Sunlight filtered through the tree tops and to the left she could see a glint of light bouncing off the water. She angled in that direction and burst into the clearing. The brunette was right on her heels. She grinned as Sheldon looked around the side of a large pine tree. He noticed the woman following Penny and his eyes widened. Penny put on one last burst of speed as she felt the hand of the woman behind her snatch at her hair. Sheldon's expression turned to anger and he stepped out from behind the tree. He took a few quick steps forward, and Penny leapt into his arms.

Sheldon fell backwards onto the ground, his arms around Penny tight. He gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. Penny giggled against his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Neither of them noticed the brunette glaring at them as she stormed off in search of other prey.

Sheldon rolled them over, and gave Penny a faux glare. "Penelope, you could have done me serious injury with that leap."

She tried her best to look at him contritely. "I sincerely apologize, Sheldon. Next time I will walk sedately no matter how many she-devils are intent on catching hold of you."

"Minx," he muttered before capturing her lips.

Xxx

Sheldon looked up from his desk as Penny stepped out of the bathroom. He slowly stood, his mouth hanging open. Penny smiled and did a slow turn. Sheldon's pulse sped up as his eyes swept over her. The watermelon colored chiffon dress was floor length. The sweetheart neckline hugged her cleavage and the capped sleeves showed off her toned golden arms perfectly. It fell seamlessly from a beaded empire waist. Her beautiful locks were piled high on her head in a glorious riot of curls.

Sheldon walked over, and lifted his head as Penny reached out to adjust his tie. She smoothed the lapels of his black suit and smiled. He cleared his throat and looked at her sheepishly. "Penny, I have always thought you the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Tonight, you will outshine the very stars themselves."

Penny blushed and looked at him happily. "Thank you, Sheldon. You look very handsome yourself. Then again, you always look handsome to me."

He looked at her with disbelief. "Even in my plaid pants?"

Penny linked her arm in his, and they walked toward the door. "Even in those." Penny grinned mischievously up at him. "Of course, you look better out of them."

When they reached the car downstairs, he was still bright red, but smiling happily.