A/N – hello, everybody! This is mainly just a filler before the next chapter so it's a little shorter than the rest. It's just a bit of fun between the characters to strengthen their bond.

Chapter 5 – Inside Sheldon's head

~~~~~(SHELDON POV)~~~~~

I walk quietly, a few feet behind Penny, trying not to make her even more irritated. Seeing as interesting facts just pissed her off more, I stayed quiet. I looked down towards the dirt road as I concentrate on staying quiet whilst she's in deep thought. I watch her small carry bag swinging back and forth in my hand and I realise that I should have been carrying her belongings like the gentleman that my mother raised me to be from the start.

She is unusually quiet as she strolls in front of me, scuffing her feet along the dirt track. I can't see her face but I know that she is staring absentmindedly at the dust floating into the air after each step.

I haven't known her for very long but it's obvious that she doesn't deserve this. Leonard is a very lucky man to have such an aesthetically pleasing women travel across a continent to propose to him. From what I have observed from Leonard, is that he doesn't deserve this lady. Just seeing her so sad and far away is causing a twinge of sympathy in my heart. Use your stupid brain Cooper and think of a way to lighten the mood.

''Know any jokes?'' I say casually and readjust her carry bag in my hands nervously.

''What?'' she laughs with disbelief and turns to face me.

''Well, what better way to pass the time than having a bit of fun. You know what they say, 'time flies when you're having fun' '' I send her a sly smile when she begins to walk backward but still facing me. I snigger as I picture her stumbling over. That would definitely create a few giggles from her.

''Ok then, ummm, oh! What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved.'' She beamed and sniggered at her own joke. I shook my head in amusement at her behaviour.

''Yes, very amusing'' I smiled while I think of a joke. ''Ah, I've got one. I've been reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.''

''ha,ha, I should have guessed that you would have science-y jokes'' she smirked at me.

''Science-y? Did you just say science-y?'' I shook my head at her but she just laughed harder. ''Well, if you liked that one some much, I shall give you another. A neutron walks into a bar and asks the barman for a drink. The barman says 'for you, no charge' '', I look at her expectantly but I think that it just flew straight over her head.

She looks quite endearing as she stares over my shoulder in thought. Probably repeating the joke in her head to try and understand it. Suddenly a spark flashes across her eyes and she nods with understanding and giggles.

''Oh, because neutrons have no charge. Ha, I get it. It took me a second but I got it'' she grins proudly and looks rather chuffed with herself, it makes me snigger.

''well, congratulations'' I snigger again when she frowns at me.

''Hey! I'm not science-y like you -'' she feigns a pout and hides a smile.

''Of course you're not, you just said science-y again!'' I scoff as she continues.

''I think that it's my turn to tell a joke.''

''very well'' I smile and waved my hand out to show her to go ahead.

''How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it'' she smiled.

''Ha, my mother would have enjoyed that one'' I smirked and tried to think of another.

''Knock knock''

''Who's there?'' she asks with excitement.

''Doctor''

''Doctor who?''

''Correct'' I say smugly.

''Ah that's like the oldest joke ever!'' she laughed.

''Well that is completely incorrect. It isn't possible to be the-''

''Ohhh, you know what I mean.'' She cuts me off with playful exasperation.

An awkward silence fell between us as we continued to walk and smile at the floor in front of ourselves. The sun disappeared behind the clouds and by now it was about 3 o'clock. I knew this road well, so I knew that there was only about an hour until we reach a small town. Only a few people live there so we shouldn't run into any more trouble. Then again I haven't been there in a long time so I am hoping that I didn't just jinx it. Only one way to find out, I thought, optimistically and kept pushing forward, even though both of our legs were getting tired.

As I walked I tried to bring back the light mood that I managed to create earlier but all my jokes that Penny would understand, have been used. I sneak a peek at Penny next to me and see that she is back in deep thought. Damn. Think Cooper, think. Hunger is obviously blocking my intellect but there is still another 45 minutes or less, left of walking until we can have any food. An idea pops in my head of a thinking exercise and a fun distraction from food. Or maybe no, from food….

''Well strawberries! Aren't we in a jam.'' I say with mock irritation.

''Did you just…?'' she asks me with suspicion.

''I have no more jokes so we butter start on the puns'' I smile and hope that she joins in. If it's just me doing puns then it's just silly.

''I guess you're ripe.'' She says slowly with a look of amusement on her face.

''Well, it is a Gouda way to pass the Thyme'' I smirk when she giggles.

''Oh for goodness steak, this is making me hungry'' she exclaimed and burst out laughing, which I soon joined.

''Ah finally a worthy pun-opponent, thank cod'' I exclaim and throw my hands up with over-exaggerated happiness.

We walked further up the road whilst our laughter died down a bit.

''Thank you'' Penny says sincerely whilst looking at me with a smile.

''For what?'' I ask her, feeling a bit confused to the sudden change of atmosphere.

''I know what you did there…earlier…trying to cheer me up…well, it worked. Thank you. I really need the pick me up after such a disastrous trip.'' She smiled and wrapped her arm around my waste for a brief side hug, letting me go before I could return it.

''well, you're very welcome.'' I said shyly, feeling like a blush has stretched across my face. ''anyway, this mission wouldn't be at all fun if the most bubbliest out of us both was all doom and gloom, now would it?''

She laughed whilst I just smirked at her to cover up the reaction from the strange feeling in my stomach when she made the strangely beautiful sound.

We settled into a comfortable silence as an upcoming building came into view down the dirt road.

''Look! Ugh finally, food'' Penny increased her pace to travel the last distance in less time.

I laughed at her eagerness to reach food. My laughter died instantly when I looked up and saw what building Penny was walking towards. And just when things were getting better, life just had to chuck in some more obstacles. Penny is going to get me killed if I don't stop her right now. That's if I can stop little miss stubborn over there.

A/N – what did you think? Pun wars to fill the time on a journey…what can be better between two competitive characters with hours alone together.

If any of you have any ideas what I can do next please tell me because after the next chapter, I don't know what will really happen because I haven't written that far ahead yet. I mean I have notes for the story bored but not a draft, so nothing is permanent.

If any one feels that I could make the story any better please give me some criticism, good or bad. If the story is missing something, or if it's boring and dull, please tell me.

Next chapter will be up in roughly a week because I have just been given another project for college!