Yeah, I know 'cutsey' isn't my usual type of story, but dang it, I'm tired of angst! I need a break from the emotional roller-coaster of my other story in development. So, no, there isn't some big upheaval coming people. Just more hippy-dippy Shenny.

Sheldon placed his kite in the closet and hung up his jacket. He glanced at his watch as he headed toward the kitchen. He had a few hours before Howard, Raj, and Penny would arrive for dinner. He opened the fridge to begin preparing some cheesy garlic rolls but a knock stopped him. He sighed as he headed to the door. What could possibly be so important for someone to knock on his door on a Sunday?!

He sighed heavily and opened the door. "Yes?" he growled. "What do yooo..umm. Hello."

Penny's eyes widened and she looked at the paper in her hand quickly before looking back up at Sheldon. "Uh, hi," she said simply. "You live here?"

He nodded, his mind in an uproar. "You're early. I did not expect you until 7pm."

Penny waved the newspaper in her hand lightly. "Actually, I was apartment hunting. I didn't know it was you looking for a roommate. Well, I should go. I still have a few places to check out," she said with a slight smile.

She turned to head back down the stairs, and Sheldon surprised himself by stepping into the hallway. "Wait!" He blushed a bit and cleared his throat. "You… you didn't actually look at the apartment."

Penny turned slowly to face him. "You wouldn't mind a female roommate?"

He blushed and twitched lightly. "I have no preference when it comes to gender. I am seeking a roommate who can afford half of the rent, utilities, and groceries. A roommate who does not whistle, or clog dance. A roommate who can adhere to my schedules and routines."

Penny watched him with growing amusement. "What kind of schedules and routines?"

He fidgeted nervously for two seconds before grabbing her wrist. He pulled her into the apartment. "I have a PDF! You can view it now!"

Penny giggled as the door closed behind them.

Leonard heard Raj and Howard in the hall so he stepped out of his apartment. Raj had told him earlier they were eating at Sheldon's. "Hey guys." He looked toward the stairs with a disappointed frown. "Penny's not coming?"

Howard shrugged. "She was out looking for apartments earlier. She must have forgotten."

"Oh," Leonard said weakly, touching the small bandage covering the two stitches on the back of his head.

Raj knocked on the door of 4A and looked back at him. "Dude, seriously? She has made it perfectly clear she only has eyes for Sheldon. Give it up already."

Leonard opened his mouth just as the door opened. All three men were agog as Penny grinned out at them. "Shelly boy, the gang is here!"

They heard an exasperated huff. "Please do not refer to me as 'Shelly boy' ever again." He looked out at the guys and opened the door fully. "Please come in. Dinner is almost ready."

The guys walked in slowly, watching Penny sit cross-legged on the floor. The tip of her tongue was sticking out as she read the papers in her hand. A pencil was twirling in her right hand. She looked up at Howard. "What's Sheldon's favorite element?"

"No cheating, young lady!" Sheldon admonished.

Leonard, Howard and Raj glanced at each other and then back to Penny. "Um, what's going on?" Howard asked.

Sheldon returned to the kitchen where he pulled rolls from the oven. "Penny is filling out my inaugural questionnaire to determine our compatibility as potential roommates. Please do not help her cheat."

Penny stuck out her tongue as she turned to the next page. "It's not cheating. It's creative answer discovery."

"It's cheating," Sheldon stated calmly. "Now finish the multiple choice section so we can eat. The essay can wait until after dinner."

"Essay?!" she cried. "Damn! It better not have anything to do with your bowel movement chart! I completely purged that information as soon as you finished telling it to me."

He looked appalled as he moved toward her. "That is very important information! Honestly, woman! Sometimes your lack of focus infuriates me. Now, listen carefully as I go over it again."

Penny looked over at Howard. "At times like these, I usually flash my boobs to distract a guy from talking. However, it doesn't work on him. Any suggestions?" Raj choked back laughter as Sheldon turned bright pink and hurried back to the kitchen, muttering under his breath.

"You didn't really, did you?" Leonard asked, unnerved.

Penny looked back at the questionnaire without answering, although a small smile played along her lips.

Sheldon cleared his throat, keeping his back to the group. "She most certainly did not," he scowled. "She kissed me."

Leonard's jaw dropped, Raj smiled and Howard laughed loudly. "That's my Penny," he said.

Penny tossed the papers on the small coffee table and sighed loudly. "Finito! Now, where's my food? I'm starving!"

Howard watched the corners of Sheldon's mouth twitch as he repressed a smile. They all gathered around the table and sat down. Leonard tried to hold out a chair for Penny, but she perched herself on a stool between Sheldon and Raj instead.

She ripped apart a roll and looked at Sheldon. "We really need to get some furniture, sweetie. This place is practically empty."

Sheldon looked at her with a firm expression. "You have not even written your essay yet, and are therefore not my roommate. If you pass, there are very strict ground rules about décor. You cannot change anything."

Penny pouted at him. "Aw! Come on! Wouldn't you like a comfy couch to sit on? Or maybe a tv stand instead of a couple of crates and two 2X4s? Besides, I'm definitely repainting my bedroom. Your last roommate must have been some sort of religious fanatic. No way am I sleeping in a room with the words "May you rot in hell for all eternity!" emblazoned on the walls."

Sheldon glared at her. "Penny, you have been in my abode a scant three hours. In that short amount of time you have mussed my bed and forced me to change my clothes. Please refrain from spreading any more of your chaos today."

"Mussed your bed?" Howard asked.

"Why did you have to change?" Leonard asked with resignation.

Penny shrugged offhandedly. "I was looking around and went into his room. His bed looked comfy, so I sat on it. He freaked out, and spilled the tea he was bringing me. Then he freaked even more."

"I was scalded," Sheldon complained.

Penny patted his arm soothingly. "You only spilled a drop, sweetie. No harm done." Sheldon glared and started to open his mouth. Penny darted forward quickly and kissed him. Howard, Raj and Leonard stared at her with shock.

Sheldon gasped and darted away to the bathroom. "Good lord, woman! Will you stop spreading your cornhusker germs?!"

Penny settled back on the stool and spooned some stew into her mouth. She ignored the astonishment around her as she moaned. "Oh man! Have you guys tried this? It's fabulous!" She looked toward the bathroom, raising her voice. "Sheldon! This is delicious!"

Sheldon came back down the hall, a bottle of Purell in his hands. "Thank you. It is a family recipe. Never kiss me again."

Penny winked at him cheekily. "Cook like this all the time and I'll do whatever you want."

Leonard sighed under his breath, Howard snorted, and Raj just shook his head, knowing Sheldon wouldn't catch the flirty undertones. Before long conversation turned to sci-fi shows, and everyone relaxed.