So, how is this for a speedy update? I was so glad to find that there were people still reading this that I decided to get started on chapter 11 right away. I can't promise that the next chapter will be out this fast, but it won't take me another 6 months to update. I promise! :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 11

It took several seconds for everything to sink into Penny's mind. Had Sheldon really called her name? Was she really going to go to Germany? She felt like she had just won the lottery. Sitting there in Sheldon's spot, her mind was far away while the three other people sitting by her all started talking at once.

"Penny!" Howard cried. "B-but..."

Raj remained silent, since Penny was still in the room and he couldn't speak in front of her. Leonard had walked up to Sheldon, eyes squinting at his friend and snatched the paper away. Sure enough, it read the blonde woman's name.

"Leonard, do you think I was lying when I announced her name? I'm sure my facial tick would have given you away if I had."

"I was just making sure, Sheldon."

The tall physicist didn't say anything to the short man in front of him and walked over to where Penny was still sitting, mouth gaping in surprise like a fish. When Sheldon's shadow fell across her, she looked up at him, green eyes wide.

"You sure you want me to go with you?" She asked. "I know you're going for some science-y thing. I'd probably get in the way, wouldn't I?"

Sheldon thought a moment. He was very into his work and hated distractions, but having Penny along would hardly be a distraction, would it? They had become closer these last few months and he liked to think that she knew when or when not to bother him. Plus, all he'd be doing was lecture to students and possibly, go to a few dinners.

"Of course you wouldn't be in my way, Penny. Unless, of course, you'd go to my lectures and start acting like a crazed woman, which I know you won't do." In a moment of unsureness, he added, "Right?"

Penny gave him a mischievous smile. "Depends on how bored I get."

"Bored?" Sheldon said, aghast. "In Germany? Penny, let me inform you that there is countless things to keep you occupied while I'm lecturing. Sightseeing alone should keep you busy for several hours."

Penny stood up and patted him on the cheek, ignoring the three pairs of eyes on her. "I was just joking, Sheldon. I promise I won't act like some crazy person while you speak. Can't promise if I stay awake if I go to one of your lectures, though. I've been friends with you for a long time, sweetie, but that doesn't mean I understand any of that physics stuff that comes out of your mouth."

"I suppose you don't know German." Sheldon seemed to forget that Raj, Leonard and Howard were still in the room. Howard had gotten over the fact that he hadn't been chosen and now joined Leonard in setting up the Xbox for an unplanned game of Halo. Raj meandered to the refrigerator to grab himself a drink.

"Just cuss words," Penny said. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep up in a regular conversation, but she was confident she could give someone a proper telling off in German.

"I see." Without another word, he walked around Penny and went to the bookcases behind them. Scoring the shelves for a few seconds, he finally found what he was looking for and handed it to her.

It was a German-English dictionary.

"I don't expect you to become fluent in the language by the time we depart, but if you were to off sightseeing without me, this will help you understand at least some basic words."

"Thanks." Penny held the book close to her chest, knowing that it would be looked at very often in the next few days.

"Good, now that that's settled, tomorrow Dr. Gablehouser will give me the itineraryfor our trip and I will know the exact date of our departure, but I would suggest you start packing now."

"Of course," Penny agreed, knowing it was a lie. She'd start packing the night before they were due to leave.

Sheldon searched her face, as if knowing she was telling an untruth. Had hanging out with him given Penny her own facial tick? Oh God, she thought covering one of her cheeks with her hand. I hope not.

"So," Leonard said, causing Penny and Sheldon to look over at the bespectacled man who held up two controllers. "Do you guys want to play some Halo?" Raj and Howard were back by the couch. Raj sat at the end, leaving the middle cushion open for Penny, and Howard had dragged a chair from somewhere to sit on.

"Even though tonight is not Halo Night," Sheldon began as he walked around the couch and sat in his spot. "I would like to play."

"We should have used Halo as a way to choose who would go to Germany!" Howard piped up from his spot.

"Penny would still be the one accompanying me." Four pairs of eyes swiveled to look at him and he continued. "Besides myself, of course, Penny is one of the best players of Halo in this room."

Everyone agreed with a nod and some grumbling, mostly from Howard.

"Guten morgen, Sheldon!" Penny greeted as she walked into the boy's apartment the next morning. Leonard was no where to be seen, but the door to the bathroom was closed and she could only assume he was in there. Sheldon sat at the table in the middle of their kitchen, eating breakfast, and at her entry, he gave her a smile.

"I see you've looked through the dictionary I gave you," he said very pleased.

Penny's smile brightened before she scored her brain for the German word for yes. She had just looked it up last night. "Um, ja...?"

The smile didn't waver on his face. "Correct, again, Penny."

She did a fist pump and moved to the coffee machine to pour herself a cup. Today, she had to work the lunch shift at the Cheesecake Factory and normally would still be asleep, but she woke up early for some reason and had decided to come over and bother Sheldon. She also wanted to show some of the words she had been able to learn the night before.

"Today, I will find out the schedule for our trip from Dr. Gablehouser and Dr. Mueller." At her nod, he continued. "Would it be all right to come over after work and go over it with you?"

"I work until five, today, so anytime after that will be fine." Penny took a sip of her coffee and walked around the table to sit in the stool next to him.

"That will be fine. It'll give me enough time to make copies for you."

Penny rolled her eyes good-naturally and bumped him with her shoulder before she could stop herself. "You and your schedules."

Sheldon didn't seem phased by the bump. "You and your disorganization, Penny." He countered with a smirk. "It's wonder you can find clothes to wear in that mess."

"Hey!" She protested. "I just organized my closet the other day!"

"With the closet schematics I gave you?"

"No, I used my own organization system." She cut off Sheldon before he could interrupt her. "And everything is hung up, folded and put away neatly. Maybe later, I'll show you and see that I can be organized sometimes."

He huffed. "We'll just have to see."

Leonard walked into the room, then, smiled when he saw Penny and walked over to his desk to grab his bag and keys. "Morning, Penny." He looked at Sheldon, who stood up from his seat and went to gather his own bag. "Ready to go, Sheldon?"

"Of course," Sheldon answered and followed Leonard to the door. Penny was right behind them on her back to her apartment. Sheldon turned, locked the door and looked at her. "I will see you later, Penny."

"Okay," she smiled. "Have fun at work. Both of you!" She made sure to raise her voice loud enough so Leonard, who had started to descend the stairs, could hear.

Both men returned the phrase and made their way down the stairs. Penny went back to her apartment, grabbed her dictionary from beside her bed and started to learn some more German before she had to get ready for her shift.

Thanks for reading!