12
Penny slammed the door to 4B behind her and then knocked on Sheldon and Missy's door. Missy opened it.
"Hi sweetie. Seekin' a little shelter from the hobbit?"
"You heard that, huh."
"Couldn't help it. And the slammin' door kinda made the point."
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't wake the baby."
"Nah. He's a pretty sound sleeper. See?"
Penny looked over to see Sheldon in his spot on Missy's couch, rocking the sleeping baby in his arms.
"Oh my God. Those two look so sweet together."
"I know, right. Would you like a cup of tea, Penny?"
"Well, since I know that it's non-optional, sure."
"Hello, Sheldon."
"Hello Penny. I'm sorry if my offer of employment has caused any discord between you and Leonard."
"Um, no you're not."
"You're correct. I suspected that Leonard would take issue with any situation you became involved in that he couldn't control."
"I think you might be exaggerating a bit, Sheldon."
"I don't believe that I am. Don't you recall how he behaved while the two of you weren't even dating? Even though he involved himself in a succession of relationships with other women he always took the time and effort to undermine any that you became involved in."
"Yeah, he did kinda do that, didn't he?"
"And when you finally got a leading role in that silly movie, did he not help get you fired?"
"Yeah, he did that too."
"Why do you think he did those things, Penny? And please don't say he did them out of love for you."
"Sheldon, why are you so interested in what's going on between me and Leonard. I'd think with all the stuff going on with you that your big brain would be pretty busy."
"You have been my friend for a long time, Penny. I care very deeply for you. I do not wish you to be unhappy."
"I'm not unhappy, Sheldon."
"Penny, I have a dictionary over here," Missy called over from the kitchen. "I'm pretty sure that happy is another one of those words that you might be confused about."
"C'mon, Missy. You have other things you should be thinking about too. Like what are you going to do for a job?"
"Funny you should ask. I happen to have an interview scheduled for Monday morning. Shelly, I know it's your first day back and all, but would you mind takin' the baby for the morning? My interview is at the university so I can ride over with you and pick up the baby after."
"I don't anticipate that will be a problem. You can theoretically ride back here with Penny after lunch, if that's alright with her."
"I don't have a problem. I assume you have a car seat."
"We do. I apologize for imposing on you for the ride. Junior is driving Missy's car here from Galveston and he was apparently waylaid in Reno. We expect him sometime next week."
"So I get to meet yet another Cooper, huh?"
"Yes. But you should be wary. Junior fancies himself as a bit of a ladies man. He will likely attempt to woo you away from Leonard."
"He likely won't be successful."
"You might be surprised. Junior has a particular way of accomplishing the task. It tends to involve beating the competition to a pulp. In Leonard's case that will not be difficult. I suspect Leonard would do most of the work himself."
"I would appreciate it if you two made sure that Junior knows I am not available."
"I will inform him thusly. However, Junior has other issues with Leonard that have little to do with you and have had years to percolate."
"I don't understand."
"Junior does not understand what happened to me in the Arctic all those years ago, but he does know that Leonard was responsible. He also believes that Leonard is at least partly responsible for my recent troubles."
"And you haven't done anything to convince him otherwise?"
"Shelly asked him to forget about it. He may not have a memory like Shelly's, but Junior doesn't forget stuff like this. He may forget to go to work or where he parked his truck but he won't forget when someone has done something' to hurt his little brother."
"Junior considers harming me to be his personal province."
"Shelly, Junior hasn't done a thing to you in years and years."
"You are forgetting the noogie episode of 2012, Missy."
"Fine. But Penny, I suggest you tell Leonard to make himself scarce while Junior's here."
"I'm sure that Leonard can handle Junior."
"Ooh this will be fun."
"So you have an interview at the university?"
"Way to change the subject, Penny. But yeah, I'm interviewin' for a manager position at one of the campus cafeterias on Monday. Not the one in the Physics Department."
"I guess I should have assumed there were other places to eat on campus besides where you guys eat."
"Oh there are quite a number of alternate eating places."
"That you have never sampled. Have you, Sheldon?"
"I've been meaning to inspect the various facilities but who has the time?"
"Well, if I'm gonna be runnin' one of 'em I expect you will make the time."
"As long as it passes inspection…"
"Sheldon Lee Cooper, did I not make sure that Fuddruckers passed your inspection and served you your food according to your specifications?"
"You did."
"So you can expect the same at any establishment that I am in charge of."
"Alright."
"Good."
"I assume that you'll be dining with Leonard, Penny."
"I have breakfast with Leonard and I have dinner with Leonard. I think I'll have lunch with whomever I damn well please."
"Good for you, Penny."
"I guess I should head back home. Hopefully he's calmed back down by now. Thanks for the tea."
"Penny, you know that you are always welcome here."
"I know that, Sheldon."
"I'm not sure that you do. Never consider it an imposition to come over. Never. Am I correct, Missy?"
"My brother speaks for me, Penny. You are always welcome here. You are the only one of Shelly's friends that will always be welcome here. The only one."
"Well, thank you, I guess," Penny responded confusedly. "Good night."
Penny closed the door quietly behind her. "That baby sure is a sound sleeper," she said out loud as she crossed the hall back to 4B. "I sure hope Leonard is asleep. I'm really not looking forward to what I'll have to do if he's not."
Back in 4A.
"Shelly, this is gonna take some time."
"I'm not so certain it will, Missy."
"I really think Penny needs some professional help. The poor thing is depressed as hell and doesn't even realize what's really going on."
"Penny seems as she always has. Perhaps a bit more tired."
"Sheldon, I haven't seen that girl in over five years. Are you sure Leonard isn't a vampire because something has sucked all the life out of her."
"I will stipulate that you may have a better perspective on any change that has befallen Penny. I still believe we can bring her back from the abyss. I believe that things will escalate rather quickly once Penny begins working again. Leonard is fairly predictable."
"I don't know. If he's around when Junior shows up…"
"Penny will want to protect Leonard. I know."
"It's going to get messy. And I suspect we aren't done with your girlfriend."
"She is no longer my girlfriend, Missy."
"I know that and you know that. I'm pretty sure Dr. Fowler doesn't know that."
"I have plans for Dr. Fowler. In any case, it is now time for bed. Can you take the baby? I believe my arm has fallen asleep."
"Sure, Shelly. And thank you again for everything you are doing."
"Missy, you are my sister. I am doing what a brother should do."
"Shelly, you know damned well that just a few months ago you wouldn't be doing any of this."
"You are quite likely correct. I have evolved in the past few months. And I wish to help Penny to do the same. She has been a good friend to me over the years and she is in need, even if she doesn't recognize it."
"We're going to come out on top, Sheldon. And Penny will be there with us. I'm sure of it."
"I hope you're right, Missy. And I'm certain that you are correct that it will get messy."