Chapter 9 - Bus ride with a Wacka-doodle

Sheldon mused out loud that they had about another 12 miles before they arrived in Houston and then the airport was approximately a 20 minute drive from then on. He suggested that they get on the bus route to Houston. Penny just nodded along with him; she had no idea.

They waited and waited. They both were thinking again, soon their little adventure would be over. Again, Sheldon was holding her belongings. He didn't want Penny to lose them now after keeping them safe for so long.

Penny had her eyes set up the road, waiting for the bus to appear. When it finally came into view, she had mixed feelings. She was happy that they were getting off the lonely road and into an actual vehicle, but she also felt, sad in a way, because her adventure was coming to a close. Just 12 miles, then they would be in Houston and they would part ways.

She looked over to Sheldon, she hoped that she was reading his expression right and that it mirrored her own feelings but she wasn't certain.

Sheldon on the other hand, felt slightly more sad then happy, but he would never admit that. Not yet anyway.

Sheldon bought two adult tickets and stepped right onto the bus, ignoring Penny's glare when he didn't help her on. They got two seats on the right hand side near the front. Sheldon did a wacko scan, as Penny called it, to locate the best seats. He instantly sat in the window seat and sent a innocent smile to Penny when looked disappointed.

''what?''

''I wanted to sit next to the window'' Penny did a grumble baby voice that made Sheldon try to hide his smirk, it didn't stop Penny from seeing it.

''Really, Penny? '' Sheldon asked with condescension.

''you're a local here, I wanted to see all of the sights'' Penny gave her best puppy dog eyes.

Sheldon held his ground for a few seconds but sighed with defeat as Penny clasped her hands together to add more adorableness to the look.

After switching seats, and gaining some weird looks from the other passengers, they settled into a comfortable silence. The sun had already set and darkness was covering the Texan scenery.

''twelve miles'' Penny sighed as she got comfy.

''Yep, twelve miles'' Sheldon confirmed uncomfortably; not sure if she was looking for a response.

''Twelve miles and then our adventure is over''

''Well, there will always be new adventures in our lives'' Sheldon agreed conversationally.

''Not likely in my case. This is has been the first adventure I have had since leaving Nebraska to start my own business'' Penny said wistfully.

''Aren't you having this adventure to go and propose to Dr Hofstadter? There is an adventure in itself, is there not? Getting married? All on the background adventure, that is life'' Sheldon stated thoughtfully; unsure about his slightly jealous feelings about her proposing but shook it off quickly.

''Well, I can tell you now that I definitely didn't plan my short flight across America, to become an adventure of a life time. But, I can also tell you that I will still be telling this story when I'm eighty.'' Penny laughed.

Sheldon watched Penny as she settled into a quiet chuckle as he thought about adventures. This had definitely been a wild one for him, but he didn't really have many to compare them against. Unlike what most people think, he was a very normal person. He actually thought of it as camouflage, when he would blend into the background and try to not get noticed by the cruel world. However, here with Penny on this bus, he didn't want to be camouflaged. He spent years surviving, travelling and learning but never living. He wanted to be noticed. He wanted to be seen by the women next to him, smiling in thought and looking at the barely viable scenery.

''do you believe in the multi-verse theory?''

''the what?''

''Multi-verse. The multi-verse is the hypothetical set of infinite or finite possible universes that together comprise everything that exists and can exist: the entirety of space, time, matter, and energy as well as the physical laws and constants that describe them.'' Sheldon explained.

Penny stared at him in complete confusion. Once her ears caught up to what he said she was still confused. She was starting to think that he only spoke at 100mph just to cause the stupid expression on her face.

''The what?'' Penny dumbly repeated.

''Really, Penny. I'm surprised that you have not heard the term from Dr Hofstadter. But back to what I was saying, you are probably more used to the term, parallel universe.''

''Oh, right. Leonard doesn't talk about physics with me that often so I don't really know much about it.''

''Mmm, well, I have always wanted to believe that there are parallel universes where we all live different lives.''

''What type of alterative world would you like to live in then?'' Penny asked with interest.

''Well to put my imagination to good use, I would like to live in a world where superheroes exist. However, if the opportunity arose to actually be given that wish I would have to think on a more beneficial view point, so it would have to be a world without, to use my mother's religious term, the four horsemen…actually no, no it would definitely be the superhero universe.'' Sheldon mused conversationally as they got closer and closer to their destination.

Penny laughed, thinking that she likes these wacky conversations with Sheldon. ''Superheroes; good choice. Wait, what did you mean by the four horsemen?''

''The four horsemen of the apocalypse; conquest, war, famine and death.'' Sheldon educated her as he looked into her green eyes.

''Oh, I know them. I am a huge fan of Supernatural. Although, I haven't heard of conquest, only Pestilence.'' He noticed that her eyes shined when she was proud of herself for knowing something so small, yet it must be of importance to her for her eyes to brighten so drastically.

''Ah, yes, pop culture tends to lower peoples IQ's by providing with incorrect knowledge. However, there is reason behind it. The interpretation of Pestilence is caused by the first horseman, Conquest, spreading infectious diseases and plague, many people focus on that piece of belief'' Sheldon said, getting carried away with the discussion.

Penny nodded at him with an air of interest as she absorbed even more knowledge from the man next to her.

''I was thinking that maybe there is a possibility that, in every single alternative universe, two people would meet in different situation but no matter what, they would always cross paths. The hope that they would meet that special person always in the back of their minds but never knowing that the universe has already set a path for them to meet that special somebody in their futures. It doesn't matter what turn you make, left or right, the universe will always cause you to meet them eventually.'' Sheldon said thoughtfully, staring intently at a very interesting piece of material on the back of the seat in front.

Penny on the other hand stared intently at a surprisingly bashful Sheldon. She didn't know what to say. She used have those kinds of wistful, magical thoughts but ever since meeting Leonard she didn't think that it was right to dream of being a part of something huge. She thought that on some level after being 'saved' by Leonard, she didn't need to keep waiting for the universe to cause her to stumble upon the perfect man; because she already had him.

''I never knew that my magical thoughts had science behind it'' She said instead and smiled widely as Sheldon turned to look at her with a look of teasing derision.

''I'm glad that you were listening at least.'' Sheldon said, glad that she didn't laugh at him and that she didn't catch on to any of his feelings. Stop being such a sap, Cooper. He thought inwardly.

''I also listen to your wacka-doodle gibberish. I'm just joking with you'' Penny winked at him and quickly realised that they were almost at their destination.

Sheldon looked away quickly to hide his blush as she looked out the window to see that we were stopping.

''It appears that we are here'' Sheldon said as he went to go stand up.

''No shit Sherlock'' Penny grinned as he scowled at her.

''now enough of that please'' Sheldon said sternly but Penny could see the mirth behind his eyes and the cheeky way that his mouth quirked slightly.

''what are you going to do about it?'' She tested teasingly.

''I won't help you off the bus'' Sheldon said nonchalantly, hiding the thrill that he got from meaningless banter with the blonde.

''oh really, like how you 'helped' me onto the bus?'' Penny smirked at him as they neared the door with the other passengers.

''I believed that I helped sufficiently. If I gave you a hand then you would have more of a chance of falling over or pulling us both into a heap of tangled limbs at the bottom of the steps.'' Sheldon said.

''oh, really, maybe you that's exactly what you want'' Penny wiggled her eyebrows seductively and smirked at Sheldon as he blushed and stuttered.

''Penny!'' He chastised her as other passengers heard and also for making him blush.

''Relax Moonpie, I'm joking'' Penny laughed as Sheldon let her go first down the steps and out into the cool night air.

''Only Memaw can call me that, Penny. How many times…?'' Sheldon started mumbling stuff as he joined her.

''So where do we go from here, Captain Kirk?'' Penny giggled, feeling incredibly giddy even with lack of sleep.

''I prefer Spock if you are going to call me names and we are going to head for the airport which is just round the corner.''

''But isn't Mr Spock the science officer, not the Captain?'' Penny asked cheekily.

''Ah, yes but in the 2009 Star Trek, Spock gets promoted to captain and Kirk becomes first officer. Never go ahead against me in a star trek trivia game, Penny. I am the king of Star Trek trivia. You will always lose.'' Sheldon looked down his nose at Penny, smugly as they walked towards the airport.

''You win this round, Dr Cooper. However, the next time we meet, I will have learned more and I will become Queen of star Trek trivia just to kick your skinny butt.'' Penny said challengingly and turned to throw the same look at Sheldon.

''Possibly. Nevertheless, I will still be the king.'' He said as he pushed the doors open with a smirk and held it open for her as she glared into his eyes defiantly.

''Maybe I could just kit your skinny butt now with physical power over you'' Penny's face was hurting now from smiling too much.

''Would you really try such a thing in a public place?'' Sheldon looked at her with suspicion and a tinge of fear; that would be more embarrassing if they had an audience.

''Of course not. I will do it when you are least expecting it.'' Penny said with a straight face and she stared straight at Sheldon.

He paused in his step, giving her a slightly more fearful look when it didn't appear that she was joking, until a smile cracked her lips and she couldn't help but laugh at his expression. With an annoyed, slightly amused huff, Sheldon bumped her arm with his, which made her laugh more, before continuing towards the ticket stand.

After catching her breath Penny joined him and quickly got her ticket while Sheldon watched quietly. She didn't have long before the flight left because they unfortunately arrived close to departure time.

With a final check towards the big clock on the main wall, Penny turned to look at Sheldon with a slightly sad but happy expression; still feeling a buzz from her laughter but not wanting it to end.

''well I guess this is it'' Penny said finally.

''I guess it is'' Sheldon said uncomfortably.

He couldn't help but feel like this was a very good moment to relieve himself of his inner turmoil that he was suffering through and tell her how he felt. However, he also thought maybe she doesn't feel anything towards him; all the teasing was just who she was and that she was like that with everyone.

Feeling suddenly sadden by that thought, he felt that it was more likely true and that he should just let her go.

Penny noticed a sudden change in Sheldon as he straightened his shoulders and hardened blue eyes.

''I do hope that we meet again in the future and that all works out well with Leonard.'' Sheldon finalised his goodbye with that and just when was about to prepare himself to watch her walk away like he thought she was going to, he was engulfed in two arms.

He looked down at the head of blonde hair and he struggled to swallow the new lump in his throat.

''I am going to miss you wacka-doodle! I will definitely be seeing you soon!'' Penny smiled up at him and he couldn't help but smile back at her after hearing such enthusiasm about their next meeting.

Penny reluctantly pulled back whilst looked at him one last time before waving and walking towards the departure doors.

Sheldon watched as she handed over her ticket and vanished through a pair of doors. Suddenly feeling alone and silly standing in an airport by himself, he turned to leave. Unfortunately his luck wasn't on his side and as he turned, he knocked something into lovely elderly couples belonging on the floor. Looking down after apologising, he saw what he had bashed their belongings with.

Penny's bags.

Suddenly realisation hit Sheldon, ''BALLS!'' Sheldon shouted and turned to stare at the doors getting ready to close.

AN/ Dunn, Dunn, Dunnnnn! Uh, oh!

Firstly, super, terribly, inexcusably sorry for being SO late with this chapter!

I'm actually surprised that I even got this up today to be honest, but I wanted to give you guys something. I'm not sure that I really like this chapter…it kind of just took over as I was writing and became random and silly. I like some bits but, eh, tell me what you think!

I don't mind if you all want to shout at me…*hides behind laptop that has terribly internet connection*

The ''BALLS!'' part at the end was inspired by the big bang theory out-takes and bloopers. Whenever they made a mistake in their lines, they would say ''Balls!''.

wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse my source for the horsemen bit…not sure why I even brought the horsemen up but I just wanting to write Sheldon and Penny chatting about random stuff together…so yeah.

wiki/Multiverse my source for multi-verse description.

One other thing, I don't have a clue about duration of travel times in Texas, so anything I say about distance or time, I am just making them up.

Once, again thank you for everyone who likes and follows this story. You comments are all wonderful and I thank you profusely.