A/N – Hey, everyone I'm super sorry for the long wait. I have been adding to this chapter whenever I got free time and well it was hard to get a lot done when I didn't have a lot of time to get a good flow going in the writing. I spent some time proof reading too! I promise to give you the next chapter sooner next time.

*hangs head low in shame*…*peeks up slowly and sees you still looking at me in disappointment and quickly hangs my head again*

We left off with a filler chapter of puns and jokes and now things get serious. A brand new obstacle presents its self to Sheldon and Penny on their journey to the airport. This one takes its toll and they discover new things about each other that are quite a shock.

Chapter 6 – Another obstacle

Penny swelled with relief when she saw the small run down building up ahead. She had a sudden burst of happiness after that last 'pun-war' with Sheldon. Everything is looking up suddenly and she is starting to feel that her luck has turned. If only she spared a glimpse at Sheldon to see the true worry and unease that she has suddenly put him under.

They kept on walking at a faster pace, in the direction of the building, although Sheldon hung back a bit. They were only a few metres away from the car park of the…bar?

Penny was caught off guard when Sheldon suddenly grabbed her elbow and pulled her back to his pace.

''Penny, I believe that we can with stand without a beverage until the next bar.'' Sheldon says while trying not to show his true feelings of the bar a few metres away from them.

''What! Maybe you can but I definitely can't. Come on we will be quick'' Penny grabs his hand before he can retort and pulls him towards the entrance.

Sheldon pulls and pulls back trying to get out of her home and pull her away, without any success.

''Penny!...wait, stop….Penny, stop.'' He tries to pull her but doesn't want to hurt her.

She ignores him and replies with small comforting, 'come on's ' and 'it will be fine's '.

Fine, Sheldon huffs inwardly and yanks Penny's hand to turn her around to face him. His whole demeanour changes from 'sweet guy' to 'In-control-and-no-funny-business-guy'.

''Penny, we can't stop here.'' His voice is stern and low with an even thicker Texas twang to it.

''What are talking about Sheldon? Its fine, we will be in and out in 10 minutes.'' Penny reassures him and proceeds to pull any way. Her arm jerks again, as Sheldon pulls her back again.

''Penny, -''

''Sheldon'' Penny mocks with a faux stern frown.

Sheldon scowls at her and she turns around again to continue on, plus to hide her smirk. The movement is pointless because Sheldon yanks her back again when he sees her smirk.

''This is not an amusing situation. The bar that you are eagerly pulling me towards is filled with drunken Neanderthals, with the brains and libidos of rabbits. I am the leader of this mission and I know that if we go into that bar you will get us into trouble in minutes. Trust me on this one…don't go in there'' Sheldon went from stern lecture mode to almost pleading because he knows that she will fight him on this.

Penny takes in a deep breath and lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. ''Sheldon, I can handle a few drunken idiots, thanks. It will be fine sweetie, and I will be able to protect you too'' Penny smiles at him but all he can think about is that she really is very naïve…and she should be more worried about leering eyes.

Sheldon grips her hand tighter and gives her a long intense stare that she can't help but pull back a bit slightly but mostly stands her ground.

-Sheldon POV -

I give her a slight nod to let her know that we can continue after seeing that she is certain that she wants to go in there. If only she knew…

She turns around and continues to walk with my hand in hers while I reluctantly drudged behind her. When we reached the door I slowly reach for the door handle but stop just before turning it. If we are doing this we then we are doing this my way.

''Do not speak to anyone, ok? Let me order your drink and stay by my side at all times. Do you understand?'' I say as I look into hers bright green eyes. I notice swallow and I hope that she is changing her mind so we can leave. Unfortunately, she instead looks more amused than anything else. My spidey-senses are tingling and I can see this vixen getting me into trouble.

''Yes, Sheldon, I understand. Let's just get this over with'' she says with exasperation but she looks curious. She looks like she wants to know what's inside a Christmas present. She is very intriguing.

I take her hand more firmly and walk inside with her confidently. However, neither of them notice a familiar truck parked in the carpark.

I slyly survey the occupants and instantly notice all eyes go to us. Well, Penny. My stomach churns to think of all the disgusting thoughts that pass through these meathead's brains. I subconsciously pull her closer to me and glide towards the bar. I clench my teeth and try to ignore that strange feeling in my stomach.

''two beers'' I can't help but let my accent slip out even stronger after catching the brute of a bartender leering at Penny.

I notice penny look at me strangely and then shake her head slightly as if dismissing a thought.

I hand the bartender some money and pick up the glasses as Penny walks me to the corner to get a table.

I take the seat next to her and place our drinks in front of us. I notice her ringing her hands together as a nervous movement.

I inch closer to her to whisper in her ear, ''Are you okay?''

She nods her head but I could see that she was uncomfortable with the environment. I scanned the room discreetly and noticed all the drunken Neanderthals chatting in hushed tones whilst sparing glances towards Penny. Their ogling made me subconsciously clench my hands into fists. Once I noticed my movements I instantly composed myself, but not before Penny noticed.

''Are you okay?'' Penny whispers in my ear and gives me a sceptical look.

''Yes, although I would prefer it if I got you out of here sooner rather than later'' I replied with another whisper.

She seemed eager to leave as well because she picked up her glass and downed the lot. I soon imitated her actions but a bit more casually. I didn't want to act too suspiciously.

She looked at me for a second with a look of conviction before she timidly asked where the toilets are. This makes me pause because I don't want her to walk off too far but when nature calls…I relent and tell her that they are through those doors. I point to the direction in the corner and she nods thanks before walking through the doors. I watch her until she is gone and I catch all the weird looks that some of the men are aiming at me. Animals, the lot of them. Neanderthals.

I sit back in my chair and try to ignore my spidey-senses, which were getting stronger.

-Penny POV-

I step through the door and look around to discover that it's just another room with two doors on the opposite wall labelled, ladies and gents.

I go to walk past the pool table but stop when I see the guy from the truck sitting with a bunch of his friends looking through my belongings.

My Nebraskan anger sky rockets when his dirty fingers start playing with my favourite bra.

''Hey!'' I shout, without fully thinking this through, and I square my shoulders.

The guys stop and turn to look at me in surprise but soon just start laughing and playing with my undergarments again.

''I said, Hey! Now give me back my bag'' I say with a harder voice and they stand up this time and start to leer at me. I can feel their hungry easy crawl over my body and it makes me shiver, and not in the good way.

''well, well, well, ain't yall a pretty lookin' gal.'' the tallest one of the group says while staring at must chest.

''whoa, why didn't ya' brin' her as well as the bag, Tommy?'' the short plump one says as he turns to look at, 'Tommy', the one from the truck.

I huff and cross my arms over my chest. Pigs.

''look, I am not sure if you are asking to be hog tied and castrated, but I will gladly do just that unless you give me back my stuff'' I glare fiercely at them but they suddenly look even more hungry.

''oohh, feisty. I like it'' the tallest pig says with smirk.

They start to prowl towards and I am suddenly aware of the situation I am in right now. I spare a glance at my bag and try to plan an escape route but 'Tommy' catches the look and grabs my wrist when I go to make my move. He pins it behind my back and moves me closer to him with look of victory on his face.

''Let. Me. Go. Or I will personally go junior rodeo on your ass.'' I growl at him. But he doesn't listen to my threat and his three goons see this as sign to join and they move closer.

I am even more aware that this is getting worse and I start to feel panic and fear rise in my chest as I try to break free.

''Get off of me!'' I practically scream and increase my struggles.

''Shut up!'' 'Tommy' hisses through his teeth at me grips my other wrist.

I swallow hard as I can barely move to get away. My panic increases but everything freezes when the door suddenly bursts open and I get a glimpse of very angry Sheldon.

The four men turn around to look at him slowly with tense shoulders. However their shoulders immediately relax and dismiss him as harmless and have the stupidity to laugh. I wouldn't be laughing if Sheldon was aiming that look at me.

Sheldon glares at all four of them. If looks could kill. His eye drop to the hand that is currently gripping my wrist and if it is possible, he looks even angrier.

''The lady said let go'' Sheldon says through clenched teeth and his voice was menacingly low.

I have a sudden wave of dread in my stomach as I realise that Sheldon has just put himself up against four very large, bulky looking men.

''Smelly Pooper? Is that ya'll? Gosh, well I never.'' Tommy says and I stare at him in disbelief as the other goons snigger at the nick name.

''Yes, very mature. I see you still resort to bullying. How very mature of you indeed.'' Sheldon's voice was dripping in sarcasm and angry exasperation.

''well, why not for old time sake I give my attention to ya' before I get back to my little treat here'' he says whilst licking his lips and eyeing me up.

''Get your unhygienic mitts off her, Eugene.'' Sheldon growling sneer turns into a smug smirk in a flash.

I can't help but snigger at his real name. It's obvious that Sheldon know these guys but it sounds like they aren't very close.

''What did ya' call me?'' he almost shouts as his temper rises. It looks like Sheldon just hit home with that comeback.

''Eugene'' Sheldon spits out with disgust whilst glaring at him in challenge. Yep, they definitely have a history.

''That's it! You're asking for it now Smelly Pooper!'' Eugene squares his shoulders and holds me tighter. My wrists are seriously starting to hurt and I can hide my wince, which Sheldon sees.

''Actually, you haven't done anything that I have asked for, so I am going repeat my expectations to your undeveloped minds one more time…Let go of her and while you're struggling with that simple task, why don't you instruct your goons here to hand the lady back her belongings'' Sheldon demanded and somehow the way his eyes have almost turned black makes him look more attracted in a strange way. His accent was thicker and lower too and he squared his shoulders like he knew that they wouldn't be able to do what he just asked for.

''You know what, you are startin' to piss me off…Get him!'' Eugene commanded his goons that have subconsciously moved forward in front of her with squared shoulders, ready for a fight.

''No!'' I find myself shouting as they moved forward but Eugene puts his hand over my mouth and yanks me back. I try to plead with my eyes as I struggle to break free and help Sheldon.

I helplessly watch as the tallest of the three moves forward. I look at Sheldon, who is just standing there with a straight back and blank face. Well, not completely blank, because his look as if they are calculating his movements. The beast of a man swings suddenly at Sheldon face when he got close enough and I wince as I prepare myself for the loud smack of the punch but it never comes. I am stunned with awe as Sheldon ducks easily to dodge the attack. As the man's whole body continues with his arm on the follow through, Sheldon uses his lack of balance to reach over a pinch his thumb and index fingers together on the back of his neck. A loud thud of the man collapsing to the floor unconscious after having his pressure point struck, breaks through the stunned silence of the room.

A gasp is muffled behind Eugene's hand, escapes my lips and I smile at the fact that Sheldon can hold his own in a bar fight. Wow!

It's not over though and the plump fat one waits for Sheldon's next move. Sheldon is back in his bored stance and he is staring intensely at the guy with his calculated stare.

The shorter of the two makes the first move and rushes uncertainly at Sheldon. Sheldon's eyes flicker as he works out the attack and finds a solution to the problem. With a sharp jab to the gut from Sheldon's much longer arm into the guy's stomach, knocks the wind out of the guy. Sheldon takes advantage of this and grips his shoulders to send a precise blow to the poor goon's balls with his knee and easily drops him to floor without even breaking a sweat.

There is only two more left and one of them is too preoccupied in keeping me restrained. The last of the goon's is standing next me now and looks terrified to even go near Sheldon.

''What are ya' waitin' for?! Get the nerd!'' Eugene commanded the last goon and he finally let go of my mouth to shove him in Sheldon's direction.

With one less hand holding me, I used the advantage to elbow him in the stomach and swiftly pulled his arm behind his back.

Sheldon caught the move but didn't let it distract him, unlike the goon that turned around to see the source of the groan of pain. Moving at lightning speed, Sheldon used his pressure point trick again on the back of the neck that was facing him. The lad fell to the floor before he realised what was happening.

I looked up at the sound of the guy falling to floor and smiled with relief but forgot about the idiot in my hold and ran backwards to shove me back into the wall behind me which made me let go. He swung around to take advantage and pulled his arm back to hit me. Eugene was too busy in his triumph and smirking down at me to see the very angry looking Sheldon storming up behind him.

As he started to swing his hand towards her face, Sheldon grabbed that hand and yanked him away from me. The smirk was wiped of his stupid face and he tried to balance himself, obviously surprised by the sudden change in the situation.

Still stuck in shock, he didn't protest as Sheldon grabbed him by the front of his worn shirt and pinned him against the wall behind him. A he regained awareness he started to fight but Sheldon promptly lifted him off the floor but he still wiggled his legs to gain momentum.

His long wry arms didn't look like they could hold a man with double his weight up against a wall, but they definitely could. I watched as Sheldon's forearms tensed whilst he tried to stop Eugene's movements.

''Apologise'' Sheldon growled; a new burst of anger causing through him after witnessing Eugene go to hit Penny.

I stood to the side, behind Sheldon and watched Eugene's face turn from shocked to absolutely terrified.

''I-I'm sorry Sheldon…for bullying you-''

''Not me!'' Sheldon suddenly shouted scaring both Penny and Eugene, ''I don't care what you do or say to me! –'' Sheldon sighed with exasperation, ''Apologise to Penny'' and Sheldon glared at him for his stupidity.

''uh, I-I guess'' he sighed and glance over Sheldon's shoulder at his friends unconscious or groining in pain on the floor and conceded defeat. ''Penny, I'm sorry for stealin' ya' stuff…and bein' a bit too grabby at ya'. Now get the hell out 'a here before the rest of the guys get here and then ya'll be the ones that are sorry'' he tried to act like the tough guy in the situation but from the smirk that Sheldon was giving him, I could tell that no one was coming.

Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope that it was a bit more exciting and enjoyable to read. Penny is staring to see Sheldon in a different and yet surprising light.

Again I'm sorry for the long wait! Don't hate me or give up on the story. PM, follow, and favourite and review please. Every new reader or reviewer brings a huge grin to my face! xxx ;P