Penny returned to her apartment feeling as if she could float up off her feet. There was lightness in her heart that she hadn't felt in years. This strange man, who she had almost detested on a few occasions, had changed everything in a single instance. Wasn't that just like Sheldon? She sat down with her head tilted back, gazing up at the ceiling. He was annoying at times, but he was also wonderful. Annoying wonderful, she decided.
A light flickered from her phone, it was another text from Amy.
"First I had one date, now I have two! The first one with Stuart, the second with Raj. I'm a minx!" Well, she certainly seems to be enjoying herself now, Penny thought smiling. She placed the phone back down. Maybe it would work out for everyone after all.
Except that she still had to deal with Leonard. It was not going to be easy but it had to be faced. Tonight everyone was coming over to watch 'Return of the Jedi', Howard and Bernadette would be there. It was not an appropriate time to stage a break-up. She would speak to Leonard after the others left. It needed to be soon because she couldn't continue with the charade of having him lying next to her, knowing it was over. And every moment she postponed the truth was another minute stolen from her and Sheldon.
Some time later there was a knock at the door. It was Bernadette and Howard.
"Hi guys?"
"Rebel Alliance reporting for duty," said Howard.
"Hi Penny, we've just got here. Are you ready to coming over now?" Bernadette asked.
"Yeah, I'm cool," she said pulling the door closed and following them into the other apartment.
"Hey Penny," said Leonard placing snacks on the table.
"Hi," she said with a strained smile.
Sheldon was sitting in his spot looking every tense and uncomfortable. He was attempting to pick a sticker off a comic book. "Oh why, do they put these things on here?" he complained.
"That can't be one of Stuart's surely," Howard asked.
"No, I foolishly went elsewhere."
"Right, because of Amy and Stuart?" he asked sympathetically.
"Only because it's all over facebook and I hate to be the target of tattle-tale," he said.
"Hi Sheldon," said Bernie sitting down.
"Bernadette… Penny," he said, his eyes darting away quickly as soon as they fell on her.
"Hi Sheldon," she said warmly.
"You're late," said Sheldon. "The film is about to start, so if you require a bathroom break I suggest you go now," he said.
No one spoke out, so Leonard pressed play. As the familiar title music began to ring out he sighed and said. "I remember when I first watched this. I thought it would be Luke who Princess Leia was going to end up with. Right up until this final film came out. They were so sweet together".
"That's true," said Bernadette, "she was always arguing with the other one."
"The other one?" Sheldon said, "…was Han Solo."
Bernadette just smiled. "Yes, but they did fight a lot."
"That was just sexual tension!" Howard said with a cheeky grin.
Penny shifted uncomfortably, she was sure Bernadette's was looking in her direction. Fixing her eyes on the television, she did her upmost to pretend she hadn't heard that conversation. Sheldon was sitting in his spot to her right. She could feel his presence at all times now. No matter where he was in the room, she felt him. He certainly had an effect on her, like she was plugged into a vitalizing energy when he was around. They had argued a lot in the past. It was only now she wondered if there had been more behind it all along.
Once the film started, she stared blankly at the screen. She let it wash over her. The tale was nothing more than a blur of movement and shapes. She was waiting.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Penny snapped out of her private daze.
"Pause! Pause!" Sheldon said.
Leonard grabbed the remote and the film froze.
"Oh drat, who can that be?" Sheldon said, getting up from his seat and making his way towards the door.
It was Amy.
"Hello Amy," he said.
"Hello Sheldon, she said.
She wandered in, her swagger a little more pronounced than usual. 'Greetings all!" she announced, they all replied.
"Amy this is a surprise," said Bernadette.
"Yes, I just had to stop by as a matter of urgency. I require that sazzy green cardigan I left behind last week. You see, I have dates and that one is a winner."
"Dates?" Sheldon inquired.
"Yes, I'm hot property," said Amy.
"Wow that's great Ames, two dates already," said Penny.
"Three." Amy squealed.
"Three?!"
"Yes, I just happened to mention at work that I was on the market and whammo… a text from Gerald in Biochemistry."
"Impressive!" said Penny.
"Yes, I'm a woman of the world now Sheldon, a free agent," she said flicking her hair back and rocking on her heels awkwardly. "You missed your chance, you'll never know the tantalizing lions of Amy Farrah Fowler." She shook her head in sorrow.
"I suppose not," Sheldon said.
"Anyway I need that cardy."
"I put it in my wardrobe. I will get it for you," he said.
"No need, I don't want to interrupt your dopey Star Trek movie."
"Wars" everyone said in unison. Sheldon looked at them with an impressed expression as Amy scampered off.
"Geez, you okay Sheldon?" Howard asked.
"About what?" said Sheldon.
"Sheldon! he means about Amy dating other guys," Leonard said.
"Of course, I did in fact release her from contract so she is indeed a free agent."
"Toilet break!" Howard yelled.
"Ohhh!" Sheldon huffed, "Well, I suppose I could make some beverages and open a beer for Penny", he said.
Leonard looked at him. Open a beer for Penny? That's new, he thought. Just as Sheldon was about to stand up, Amy came flying out of the bedroom and threw something on the coffee table with a thud. "What the heck is this?" she yelled. Penny's eyes widened.
"Oh dear," Bernadette said sadly. "Your old relationship agreement."
"No! This is not our relationship agreement," said Amy. "No, this is a brand new relationship agreement that Sheldon has drawn up for himself… and PENNY!"
Bernadette inhaled sharply and slammed her hand over her mouth.
The room went dead silent.
"Holy crap!" Howard finally said.
"Sheldon, what the hell?" Leonard said angrily.
Sheldon didn't move, his eyed were glued to the document in front of him. He was frozen where he sat, barely breathing.
"What are you playing at Sheldon?" said Amy. "What kind of dream world are you living in? Penny would never sign this nonsense."
"Of course she wouldn't sign that!…" said Leonard looking over at her. Penny didn't say a word. "Would you?" he prompted.
"Noooooo…" Penny said unconvincingly.
"You wouldn't?" Sheldon asked.
"Well maybe… yes…"
Utter silence.
"Sweet lord almighty," Howard gasped.
"You can't be serious! What the hell is going on here? Are you sleeping together?" he yelled, his voice becoming more and more shrill.
"No!" Penny protested.
There was another pause.
"Well… just the once," said Sheldon.
Gasps!
"What the frack!" Howard swore.
"Sheldon! that's not what he meant," Penny said.
"Oh, I don't believe this!" Leonard shouted and he stood up quickly and stormed off to his room.
Slam!
No one spoke for a minute then Bernadette said, "Well, I guess we'd better go." Howard and Bernadette got up and put their jackets on.
"I'm going too," said Amy, "…but I'm really disappointed," she said. "Especially in you!" she said pointing at Sheldon.
Once the door closed, Penny and Sheldon sat there alone. He turned to her and said calmly, "Well, if that was your option two, I like mine better."