AN – I'm sorry that it's been like a month! I got set another project for college. When I did finally have the time to write, I had to re-write this like 3 times before finally just using it. I wanted a bit of angst because in the film ''leap year'', the character ''Anna'' had family issues so I wanted to have something similar.
The story continues… I know I've not updated in a while but here is another chapter. Getting deeper; into the journey and into their…relationship?
Anyway here you go and I will try to get another chapter up soon.
Chapter 7 – Getting deeper
They got back on the road shortly after Penny collected her belongings and Eugene sparing a disbelieving look towards Sheldon as he let him go.
''Are you ok?'' Sheldon asks Penny as they trudged next to one another, successfully breaking the silence between them.
Penny glanced at him with a look that he could only describe as a mixed between awe and wary.
''Yeah'', she finally breathed. ''just…I can't believe that just happened''
Sheldon stayed quiet, his only reaction was a dark look to the dusty path with his lips pressed in a hard line. He knew exactly what would happen and he inwardly hated himself for allowing it to. They shouldn't have even gone inside that worthless, sickening excuse for a pub that brought back bad memories.
Sheldon was brought out of his mussing by a small voice to his left.
''Look, I'm sorry that I dragged you into my mess. I should have listened to you when you said we shouldn't have gone in.'' She looked at him sheepishly. ''and thank you…for saving me back there'' she finished with a light chuckle and smiled at him.
Sheldon sighed out a deep breath, seemingly releasing all the weight off of his shoulders.
''Well, don't let it be said that Sheldon Lee Cooper, leaves a damsel in distress.''
Penny grinned at him, thankful that all of the tension had vanished.
''You know, you were pretty awesome back there, with the ninja moves and all. Spock would have been proud of those neck pinches you did. Oh, and you have got to teach me how to do those one day.'' She bumped his shoulder lightly with hers and laughed when he stumbled a bit.
He scowled at her half-heartedly, whilst he readjusted her belongings in his hands and straightened his back. He still wasn't going to let her carry her stuff.
''Yes well, when one is constantly bullied for his advanced IQ, one must learn how to defend one's self. Even though I find violence pitiable, I adapted to defend myself with the fastest and least harmful self-defence moves available.'' Sheldon said nonchalantly, as if everyone had done that.
Penny was shocked at the revelation. ''wow sweetie, I would never have guessed that you used to be bullied.''
''Well, when I left college I was able to ''come out my shell'' due to the fact that I was surrounded by highly respected scientists instead of dispassionate college bullies. I didn't have to be worried about which Neanderthal was around the corridor so I began to relax more and even improved in my work because of it. My mother used to worry that I would never let my walls down, never overcome my fear of touch and germs. I don't even remember when it happened really; I simply naturally slid into place as life went on. It wasn't until my mother would start to tell me how happy she was for me that I suddenly noticed my change in demeanour.'' Sheldon explained.
''Wow. Was Eugene one of those bullies? You seemed like you knew each other'' Penny asked as the conversation flowed smoothly and comfortably.
''Eugene. He was the main one. I more often than not just had to ask a simply science question and he was huffing in frustration and throwing punches. It was pathetic really. A mask if you like, to hide his insecurities. That's what all bullies are like, using violence as a shield.'' Sheldon replies with a sad sigh.
''How did you know that place anyway? You seemed pretty stubborn to not go in there, like you knew.'' Penny questioned, unsure if they were still in a sharing mood or if it was best to lighten the conversation.
''Me. stubborn? You're the most stubborn women that I have ever had the privilege of meeting and that is saying something since you have met my mother.'' Sheldon muttered the first bit and then spoke more clearly to Penny.
Sheldon sighed and looked to floor when Penny gave him a ''don't-change-the-subject'' look.
''When I was six my father would sometimes ''have'' to look after me due to my mother being busy. He was a very heavy drinker and he would take me to the bar and then drink with his friends. I learnt very quickly that they were all loud and disrespectful excuses for human beings. I dreaded the times when he would take me there because I was always there main entertainment; which at the time I didn't understand, but now I know that they were just bullies.''
''Wow, I'm surprised that you didn't come out of that undamaged or worse influenced by their behaviour.'' Penny said with concern woven into her voice and brow.
''Well, I suppose that it weakened my trust to people during my childhood but it wasn't permanent. I have a suspicion that Junior was more affected than me though.'' Sheldon finished with a thoughtful look.
Penny was ready to dig further into his head but she suddenly noticed the sky. During their conversation they didn't realise the time. Sheldon caught a glimpse of Penny's shocked expression and soon came to the same realisation.
''I believe that now is a good time to find a place to stop for the night.'' Sheldon said as he picked up his pace and guided Penny to a side road.
''Thank god, my feet are killing me!'' Penny groaned and bent her head up to the dark sky in exhaustion and then followed Sheldon's lead. Penny found herself subconsciously moving her eyes from the back of his head, down his back to his; she quickly averted her gaze, flabbergasted that she checked out his, surprisingly, nice ass.
After a about 20 minutes they came up to a cute looking Inn that Sheldon hinted was 'satisfactory' and the only one in the area other than a view farm houses that were spread out. Once Penny's blush vanished from her face, she began to stride up next to Sheldon when they reached the door.
With a friendly knock on the wooden door, it opened to present an elderly couple that were instantly smiling when they noticed Sheldon.
''Good evening, Mr and Mrs Vartabedian.'' Sheldon greeted politely and smiled at them both.
''Sheldon, how lovely to see ya'. My, my, aren't ya'll tall now!'' Mrs Vartabedian said with a huge grin and a strong Texan accent.
''Yes, 6'2'' last time I checked. We were wondering if you had a room for tonight available.'' Sheldon continued easily. He didn't miss the glance that they both gave Penny but he was hoping that this would go smoothly.
''You're lucky, we have one room left, son.'' Mr Vartabedian said with a suspicious look. ''We had to send away a young couple not just half an' hour ago. To think, that we would let an' un-married couple sleep in the same bed. The scandal!'' he continued and was huffing here and there with Mrs Vartabedian getting agitated herself just remembering it.
Sheldon sighed. He knew this would most likely happen. Here goes nothing then. Please don't hit me for this. Sheldon mentally pleaded.
He stepped closer to a very uncomfortable Penny and grinned as he put his arm around her shoulder.
''Well, we definitely are in luck, right Kitten? This is Penny…my wife.'' Sheldon said with a slight hesitation. He tensed; waiting to be hit or kicked by the blonde.
Kitten? Wife? Penny surprisingly caught on pretty quickly after a flash of confusion crossed her face. She looked at the shocked couple in front of them and wrapped her around Sheldon's back and gave a light squeeze.
''We were only recently married. Hi, it's nice to meet you.'' Penny said with a welcoming and believable grin. She snuggled closer to Sheldon and felt him relax into the movement.
Most of their confusion seemed to leave the couples face's at her explanation of being newly-weds and welcomed them both inside. They were met by a warm looking lounge with the smell of fresh cooking and flowers in the air.
''How come Mary didn't tell me that you were married? This gossip woulda' spread like wild fire at the church group.'' Mrs Vartabedian asked with a smile that seemed be stuck on her face now.
''Well, I asked her not to spread the news just yet. Me and kitten here wanted to live in peace for a little bit longer before the church group swarms us'' Sheldon teased and squeezed Penny's side affectionately. Penny couldn't help but notice Sheldon was really laying it on thick with lovey-dovey-ness and the nicknames.
Penny smirked mischievously at him and he mirrored her in a silent challenge.
''Well, will ya' both be joinin' us for dinner?'' Mrs Vartabedian asked hopefully; seemingly just taking the information she got and accepting it.
''That would be amazing actually. Wacka – doodle and I have had quite a journey today; I think I speak for both of us when I say that we are starving.'' Penny grinned innocently and had to ignore Sheldon's flabbergasted expression at her spontaneous nickname for him, or she would has broke her facade and burst into laughter.
''Aren't ya' two just adorable?'' Mrs Vartabedian smiled fondly at them.
Penny and Sheldon shared a sheepish smile at one another; neither of them acting. (But they didn't know that about each other)
''Why don't ya' follow my husband to ya' room and get settled while I dish it up?'' Mrs Vartabedian offered.
They accepted the offer with nods and then the followed Mr Vartabedian through the house for a tour, on their journey to their room.
They walked up the creaky stairs to the only room left. It was a medium sized, intimate bedroom with an en-suite bathroom which didn't have a door. The double bed was standing out as the largest piece of furniture apart from a small sofa against the wall.
Sheldon placed her bags next to the door and they both stared at the bed. Who gets the bed? They finally broke eye contact from the bed, only to turn and look at each other.
''Heads I win and Tails you lose?'' Sheldon suggests with a straight face.
He receives a nod from Penny and so he quickly retrieves a coin from his pocket. He flips it and it lands on heads.
''ah, gravity, thou art a heartless bitch.'' Sheldon said with a hint of smugness.
''Ugh, fine whatever!'' Penny grumbled as she watched Sheldon sit down on the comfortable looking mattress.
''Well we better get down stairs…'' Sheldon starts as he slowly and reluctantly gets up from his comfy position from the bed, after a few minutes. ''before Mrs Vartabedian gets suspicious of us'' he finishes with a cheeky wink and a teasing smirk, that did not make her heart flutter a bit!
She hit his arm lightly and shooed him out of the room quickly to get down fast.
They joined the dinner table a little late but nobody seemed to mind. There was another couple at the table that they didn't know. But they seemed to be in the middle of a story about their proposal.
''…and she said yes!'' The unknown male from the couple exclaimed after they got to their seats opposite them. Everyone cheered and his wife blushed.
''ah, Sheldon, Penny, you just missed Stefano telling us about his proposal to Marie here.'' Mr Vartabedian expressed as they started their meal.
Sheldon and Penny could only shrug an apology before Stefano was talking again.
''Yes, but you see it's not the proposal that is most important. It's the kiss.'' Stefano said proudly and looked at his wife with adoration.
''Of course, that's what proves if he is a man.'' Marie confirmed.
They kept the conversation on the same topic and Sheldon and Penny were getting more and more uncomfortable.
Then Stefano started to prove his point by kissing his wife with vigour but thankfully, Mrs Vartabedian interrupted them with a polite cough. This just made Sheldon and Penny eat faster to try and get away.
Then Mr and Mrs Vartabedian shared a much more appropriate kiss, thankfully, and then when they finished their meals everyone looked at them.
''well, come on son.'' Mr Vartabedian urged Sheldon expectantly.
''I'm sorry, what?'' Sheldon asked with mock innocence; he knew exactly what he was asking of him.
''Kiss your wife, man!'' Mrs Vartabedian chorused in.
''we've done the kissing today, really, its fine'' Penny tried to save them both.
''yeah, we don't really need to'' Sheldon joined in nervously; his heart was about to burst.
''they are just shy'' Stefano offered which they eagerly took and agreed with him.
''nonsense, you are around friends'' Mr Vartabedian persuaded.
Sheldon fidgeted in his seat unsure what to do. Penny was waving them of and was seemingly fine with the situation, even though on the inside her heart was going burst along with Sheldon's.
''Kiss the girl, man!'' Mr Vartabedian almost shouted, making Sheldon jump and face Penny.
He sighed with defeat and confidently cupped her cheek, moved her hair behind her ear and moved in. Her lips were soft as they grazed his. Penny gasped silently at Sheldon's confidence and allowed him to kiss her again with a bit more pressure. She reached her hand up to his cheek which seemed to pull him out of his trance and they slowly released each other. Sapphire glazed over eyes, met emerald green ones and they both took a deep breath.
They quickly looked away when cheers and clapping filled the room. They covered up their shock with shy glances and nervous laughter at the other occupants of the room.
What was that? They thought in unison.
They stood in the door way of their room and awkwardly moved around each other. Penny went to the bathroom for a shower whilst Sheldon took off his shoes and settled on the bed, both deep in thought.
Sheldon led back and listened to the sound of the water running and…Penny mumbling to a song? It brought a disbelieving smile to his face that made him look at the shower curtain across the room. The action made him instantly wish he didn't because he could see the silhouette of Penny's slim figure through the shower curtain. He held his breath, suddenly feeling like he was intruding but he couldn't take his eyes away…and after that kiss. He sighed and forced his eyes away when the water shut off.
''I can't believe him…'' Penny mumbled under her breath but Sheldon heard it with his amazing hearing. ''I can't believe him.'' She muttered slightly louder and surer of herself.
Suddenly she appeared in the doorway with an angry scowl of her face and her hands on her hips, dressed in hello kitty shorts and a tank top.
''I can't believe you!'' Penny said much louder this time with a finger pointed at him, that made him subconsciously sit up straighter and scoot back a bit on the bed.
''W-what?'' Sheldon asked uncertainly; afraid about what he did. Was she mad about the kiss? He couldn't help but think.
''Heads you win? Tails I lose?'' She practically yelled at him.
Sheldon instantly relaxed and laughed at her whilst getting comfy again.
''ah, you finally got that did you? Well, congratulations.'' Sheldon said with a smirk and he couldn't help but think that she looked endearing, wearing tiny hello kitty shorts and that pouty face that she was making right now.
''Ugh, you deceitful son of a – get up! Liars forfeit!'' Penny suddenly exclaimed with a deciding nod.
''Make me.'' Sheldon said smugly and crossed his arms.
Penny huffed and marched over to him and immediately started to alternate between trying to push and pull him off the bed. She squealed when he suddenly pulled her across the bed and she landed on right side, on her stomach.
''Well, you tried and that's what counts.'' Sheldon said in a mock patronising tone that made her glare at him as she rolled over on her back.
''I'm not moving just so ya' know.'' Penny huffed and she pulled the covers over herself and rolled over to face away from him in an act of defiance.
''Fine by me. As long as you are not a duvet-hogger'' Sheldon sighed and copied her actions and rolled to face away from her.
Duvet-hogger? Penny thought with disbelief, ''I can't promise anything'' she muttered sleepily.
Sheldon's lips twitched at the side but then an awkward silence fell other them. The silenced allowed them to revert back to their thoughts. And their thought brought back their kiss and then their current position. The warmth of covers and being so close didn't help their almost magnetic pull to one another. They didn't even realise that they were slowly rolling over to face one another until their eyes met. The trance was instantly broken and they awkwardly squeaked a quick ''good night'' before flipping over to face away from one another and going to sleep.
Really, what else should they expect on this journey?
A/N – so that's that. It was awkward yet cute, but then confusing. It started with sadness and deep bullying conversation, to cheeky fake flirting (acting sort of) and then having confusing feelings for each other.
They kissed! … And this is definitely OOC and an AU!
Was this ok? I wrote it and then deleted it and then tried it again. I don't like some bits and there may be some grammar mistakes but as long as you get what's going on then I guess its fine.
Amber x