The Truth About Wooing

He sat on the edge of his bed and stared at the weapon in his hand. He had almost lost it tonight. He had almost lost quite a bit more than that. Some bullying high school kid with one too many growth spurts had almost taken not just his virtual possessions, and his bat'leth, but his pride as well. What kind of man backed down from someone half his age? Or half his IQ? What kind of Texan had to be rescued by a girl?

Sheldon stood and placed the bat'leth on it's display stand. He took a couple of deep breaths and headed out of the bedroom. The apartment was empty, since Leonard was currently at Raj's place, engaging in carnality with Priya. He stepped into the hallway and knocked on Penny's door.

Penny was just about to head to bed when she heard the Sheldon Knocks. Now what? She waited until he was done before opening the door. "What's up, Moon Pie?"

Sheldon glared for a second before his shoulders slumped. "Penny, I would like to express my gratitude once again for your help this evening. I would still be without Glenn or my gold if not for you championing me."

Penny smiled up at him softly. "Aww, thank you, sweetie. I was happy to do it. I wasn't about to let someone bully my Sheldon."

Sheldon looked at her intently. "Why?" he finally asked. Penny looked confused so he expanded his question. "Why did you say 'my Sheldon'?"

A blush rode up Penny's cheeks. She looked away and shrugged. "I just meant that you're my friend. You know, that I care about you, and wasn't going to let anyone be mean to you."

Sheldon was surprised by the disappointment he felt at her explanation. "Oh. Okay. Well, thank you," he murmured. He turned and walked back across the hall. He let himself into the apartment and was halfway across the living room floor when he stopped.

Penny had lied to him. He wasn't sure why, but he was absolutely certain she had just lied to him. But about what? She had said on several occasions that they were friends. It couldn't be that. Penny had a rather violent nature. She would not have lied about being happy to dispatch his nemesis. Sheldon thought about every word she had uttered and about every expression and movement she had made.

When he still couldn't figure it out, he fidgeted. He decided he had two options. He could go to bed and let this go, or he could go back and speak to Penny again. He knew he was pretty clueless when it came to social convention, but he was fairly certain that if he went back to speak to Penny, it would change things irrevocably.

He turned and looked at the door intently. Could he risk the comfortable friendship they had reached of late just to satisfy his curiosity? He thought about the blush that had crawled up her neck. He thought about the way she had averted her eyes, indicating an untruth. Sheldon squared his shoulders and walked back across the room. He opened the door and crossed the hall before knocking firmly on her door.

He could see her shadow as she waited on him to finish the obligatory nine knocks and three utterances of her name. She knew it was important to him, and even when she teased him, he knew it was out of friendship and not malice. It made him feel good to know she cared enough to wait out his routine. He clasped his hands behind his back as she opened the door.

"Is there something else, sweetie?" she asked.

Sheldon looked at her closely. "Penny, why did you lie to me?"

Her eyes widened and that appealing blush blossomed across her skin again. "Wha…what are you talking about?"

Sheldon stepped closer a bit. "You stated that I am your friend, and that you care about me, which I am certain is true. However, you also glanced to the left, avoiding my eyes, and your nostrils flared when you said so. That is your tell. Whenever you lie, you always glance to the left and your nostrils flare. So, I find myself confused. Your words are true, but yet, they are also a lie. How can that be?"

Penny bit her bottom lip, an action that drew his eyes to her lips. "Sheldon, I didn't lie," she said softly. "You really are my friend and I do care about you."

Sheldon couldn't resist taking another step closer. "But?" he prompted.

Penny looked up at him helplessly. "Can't you just drop it? Just leave it at that?"

Clarity suddenly hit Sheldon and his heartbeat increased. He cleared his throat nervously. "Penny, is it possible that your feelings for me …go beyond simple friendship?"

Penny's blush burned brightly and she stepped back from him. Sheldon frowned and took a step closer. Penny's eyes widened and she stepped back again. Sheldon felt a flash of adrenaline and took another step toward her. Sheldon swallowed hard and tried to restrain the desire to crowd her. Watching Penny retreat from him was resulting in an increase of testosterone-fuel aggressiveness.

Penny hit the arm of the couch and almost fell over. Sheldon's hands shot forward to steady her, but he pulled harder than he intended and jerked her against his chest. Both of them froze, their eyes locked on each other.

He watched her eyes dilate and warmth spread through his chest. He licked his lips nervously and slid his hands from her elbows to her back. He felt exhilarated as her own arms slid up his chest to encircle his neck.

He cleared his throat softly. "Does this mean yes?" he asked.

Penny smiled gently. "Yes, Sheldon. My feelings for you go beyond simple friendship."

Sheldon was torn between the urge to flee the apartment and the urge to kiss someone of his own free will for the first time ever. He twitched slightly. "Penny, now what do I …what do we do now?"

Penny gave a tender laugh. She raised up on her toes for a brief second and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Wanna be my boyfriend, Moon Pie?"

It was his turn to blush now. "Penny, I am not sure I am capable of some of the activities usually expected of a boyfriend."

Penny shrugged and dropped back down on her feet. "We can move slowly, Sheldon. I don't mind waiting until you are more comfortable. Sheldon, I've grown to care a lot about you in the last couple of years. I would really like to see if this could be something really good. And I don't mind moving at a pace you are comfortable with."

Sheldon relaxed slightly and smiled boyishly. "That seems acceptable." He paused a moment. "Penny, will Leonard be upset with us?"

She sighed heavily. "Probably. But Leonard is dating Priya now. He cares about her. It may be awkward for a little bit, but he'll get over it."

Sheldon relaxed more. "I would never have believed I would be grateful for the presence of Koothrapali's sister."

Penny hugged him briefly and pulled away. "I was about to watch X-Men. Wanna join me?"

Sheldon turned to close the front door with a nod. "That sounds acceptable." He sat down on the couch and Penny sat beside him. He twitched slightly and looked at Penny. He gave in to his urges and shifted until their thighs lightly touched. He blushed as Penny smiled happily. Very acceptable, indeed.