Chapter Twenty One

The day of the party was upon the Cooper household, and Penny was about to tear her hair out. Everything was balanced on one key factor: that Sheldon didn't freak out and one of his alters take over. If that happened, it was game over for this plan. Penny's gaze swept over to where Sheldon was diligently typing away on his computer, completely oblivious to the woman-made chaos that had slowly surrounded him. Preparations were having the final touches put on them by Meemaw, Missy, Mrs. Cooper, and Penny. Trey was nowhere to be found, but Penny was told that he would show up eventually. With the night time party slowly approaching, Penny was getting more and more antsy.

"Penny everyone is arriving." Missy's voice startled Penny out of her musing. Penny looked up at Missy and could see the same trepidation reflected in her eyes. She gave Missy a weak smile before she walked up stairs to finish getting ready.

Pulling the last few rollers out her hair, Penny took a deep, steadying break and slowly released it. Smoothing her dress out, she made her way downstairs to party. Mind whirring, she didn't notice that Sheldon's eyes were locked on her when she entered the room, or that most of the women in the room were glaring in her direction. Penny made her way over to Missy, and grabbed the proffered drink in her had.

"She's not here yet" Missy acknowledged when she noted how Penny's eyes kept sweeping over the room. "She likes to be "fashionable late." I just think it's rude, but you know how some girls are." Missy squeezed her arm affectionately "She'll be here. Don't worry." Penny didn't want to comment on the doubtful tone in her voice. Thirty minutes into their conversation, Penny extracted herself from Missy to go out to the backyard and mingle with some of Sheldon's family. When she made it to the backyard, the sight that greeted her melted all of her worries away.

Sheldon was dancing with his Meemaw, looking slightly uncomfortable from stooping due to the size difference, but still partaking. His small smile made Penny's heart speed up. She didn't realize that she had been staring till Meemaw called over to her.

"Penny dear, will you dance with Moonpie? I need to sit down, but I don't want him to have to stop on my account." Penny saw the mischief dancing in Meemaw's eyes, and knew that she couldn't refuse.

"Of course, ma'am. I'd love to" Penny replied as she made her way over to Sheldon and his Meemaw.

"Meemaw, it is no problem that…"Sheldon's response was succinctly cut off by his grandmother pushing Penny towards Sheldon.

"Don't you be rude now Moonpie. I want you to show Penny a good time, alright?"

"Yes Meemaw." Sheldon responded as he positioned his hands to Penny's waist and grabbed her hand. He swung her out, before pulling her back in for two stepping. The country song in the background was fast and loud, but Penny held her own on the dance floor. Sheldon spun her easily in lazy twirls and dips that Penny was not expecting.

"I didn't know that you could dance."

"Meemaw made sure that my knowledge was vast in the aspect of dancing. She did not want me to be easily daunted by the notion of dancing. It is essentially just a set number of steps and different orders in which those steps are executed."

"Well, you learned well. I haven't had anyone that could actually dancing with me" her mind flashed back to Lee "awhile."

"Well, most of the establishments that you frequent are not exactly cultured dance hotspots. I believe that you are supposed to 'grind', I believe the term is."

"I guess you could say that. I.." Penny was cut off by a screech of a voice.

"Sheldon Cooper! Who the hell let you out of the lab?" the distinctly female voice said and made Sheldon stiffen in her arms. Penny looked back to see the speaker. The brunette that sauntered up could have been called pretty if it weren't for all the makeup caked on her, and the sneer marring her features. Penny knew from the Facebook photo that this was the girl she came to see. The girl that would make or break her plan: Mary Jo Wilson. 'It's now or never, Penny.' Penny hastened to position herself in front of Sheldon before an alter took over.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Penny's hands were on her hips, chin raised, which made for her most formidable pose. The brunette finally made her way over and Penny had to look up to look her in the eye. 'She's a giant!' Penny's confidence wanted to stutter, but she knew it was all coming down to this.

"Well, Blondie, I'm Mary Jo. Let me guess. You're the girl they are paying to make Robo-Boy look normal." Mary Jo started to laugh but was cut off by Penny's slap against her face. The ringing slap brought all the attention down on them from the other party goers.

"Look here, Mary Ho, or whatever your name is. Sheldon is my boyfriend. If you got a problem with him, you got a problem with me. How about you take your nasty muffin top and cake face outta here, before I do something to make you." Penny wasn't sure where this was coming from but there was no going back now.

The look of shock on Mary Jo's face would have been priceless if it wasn't for the moment after when she took a threatening step towards Penny. Penny braced herself for impact when she saw the hand coming down at her. The hand that stopped Mary Jo's was only inches from her head. Looking up, she saw Sheldon holding Mary Jo's wrist.

"Mary Jo, I believe Penny has made everyone's sentiments known. You are not nor will you ever be welcome here. I suggest that you leave now. If you are unable to find the door, I'm sure that I can make you a map that even you will be able to understand." Sheldon's tone left no room for argument.

Mary Jo looked around and saw all the looks of disgust, amusement, and all around mockery at her antics. She flushed red, and stomped her way out of the yard into the house. The resounding slam of the front door made the rest of the guests cheer. Partygoers came up to congratulate Sheldon, and the party panned back out to how it was originally.

Penny was pleased but she was unsure of the outcome. Did it work like she wanted it to? Was it enough? DID recovery was not an exact science. It was either drugs or figuring out the problem head on. Penny was startled out of thoughts when she felt Sheldon's arms tighten around her. Looking up, she noticed there was a glint that was not normally there. Eyes narrowed, she pressed "Sheldon?"

"Sorry pretty lady, but it is I. James. Do not fret, pet. This is the last time you will see me. You did an admirable job for Sheldon. I commend thee. Now, I am going to give some actions and memories to Sheldon now, but I am going to let Lee filter the rest out. He's good for things like that. Hopefully, you can fix our dear Moonpie. I'm only sad that I was the first to go. Good luck sweet Penny." James kissed her cheek before he closed his eyes. When the eyes opened again, it was Sheldon again. He hissed in pain and clutched his head.

"Are you ok Sheldon?"

"Yes Penny. I merely felt a small spike of pain. It is probably due to all the people in one area and the lack of oxygen being circulated." He looked down at Penny with a light she never saw in his eyes. "Penny, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course"

"You called me your boyfriend, correct?"

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry if.." she was cut off by Sheldon's finger pressed against her lips.

"Do not be sorry, Penny, for sentiments that are reciprocated."

"What are saying Sheldon?"

"Penny, I know that you are smarter than that." Without anymore words, Sheldon pressed his lips firmly against Penny's. The fireworks that went off made Penny melt against him. 'Wow. Guess James gave him more than just some memories.' Was Penny's last thought before Sheldon pulled her closer. They stayed that way, until Sheldon pulled away and rested his head on Penny's.

Penny thought that the cool Texas night, coupled with the classic country love song, made for the end of one of the most perfect days she had ever had.