"Happiness can exist only in acceptance."

-George Orwell

Sheldon didn't understand, and he was afraid of the feeling almost overwhelming him.

The first time he met Penny, he swore that he only saw her as a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

As weeks passed and he was able to get to know Penny better. He knew more of Penny than he knew himself over a short period of time. He knew more of Penny than the rest of his group.

What really freaked him out to most was how he was comfortable when she invaded his personal space. He didn't flinch when Penny would grab his hand or kiss his cheek. The most unsuspecting part about it was that he was doing those things more than her. How could a germaphobe like him be acceptable of her touches? How could a germaphobe like him be acceptable of touching her?

He was confused about himself.

Raj agreed to help him with that. Ever since they went to the train shop last week, Sheldon began warming up to Raj. Spending time with him made him regain the lost memories that he shared with Raj, such as going to the zoo to look at monkeys and competing at the annual Mystic Warlords of Ka'a tournament held at the Stuart's comic book store. Raj kept his promise which was not to blab about Penny when Leonard or Howard was around. Sheldon still couldn't trust them.

In addition to Penny and Raj, in his new circle of friends was Stuart. Yes, he might have been a tad bit protective of Penny when Stuart was around (in some situations, a little jealous), but he had grown fond of him. He, Raj, and Stuart would linger at the comic book store after closing hours and discuss about superheroes and planned on attending this year's Comic Con.

He was glad he was rebuilding his friendship with Raj, and starting a new one with Stuart. Raj told him that he never really talked to Stuart unless it was about purchasing one of his items. They never invited Stuart to their outings, and Sheldon was disappointed that they didn't. Stuart was a nice and funny guy once you got to know the real him. Stuart also shared that he was depressed because of how lonely he was, and when Sheldon reached out to him, Stuart now had something to live for. Friendship.

But then, there's still Penny.

Some people might have mistaken Sheldon as Penny's brother, but what they really had was a very close bond. Sheldon wasn't that close to his brother and sister than he was with Penny. With Penny, he can be himself and not having to worry about her ever judging the way he is.

Sheldon was delighted to meet Penny. If she wasn't around that fateful night, things would have been different.

A: He would have died.

B: If he did survive, and Raj told him about the things the group did to him, Sheldon would have felt alone.

C: Without Penny, he'll never realize how badly he was mistreated by his so-called friends.

D: Without Penny, Sheldon wouldn't be the fun and free-spirited he is at that moment.

He owed it so much to Penny. Not only did she rescue him, she had been there for him through it all, even though she could have chosen not to pursue a friendship with him after he was rushed to the hospital.

But she did.

He wondered what his actual feelings towards her are. He likes Penny and having her company. But there was a small part of him asking for more.

You know, Penny, you seem to be a good match for my Shelly.

Sheldon knew that his mother was wise. However, what she said back in the car was completely absurd!

No, mother. We are just friends.

Was Sheldon convincing his mother, or himself?

"My mother. I was convincing my mother," Sheldon muttered to himself repeatedly.

Sheldon was straightening out the apartment. He was cleaning the table and counter tops, dusting off the furniture, and reorganizing the DVDs in the entertainment system. He sat in front of the television and began laying the assorted DVDs out on the floor. He decided to organize them by genre, but switched it to the release date, before settling back to genre. The first DVD he picked up was the movie Spider Man that he and Penny were watching during the night when Leonard stayed at work late.

He remembered when she slept on his lap as he looked at her face, and touched the soft skin of her cheek.

He held in his hand the DVD cover, and thought of the events that occurred in the movie. For some reason, he started to compare himself to the movie. Sheldon found it funny and he chuckled when he compared himself to Mary Jane and Penny to Spider Man. He would have wanted it done the other way around if it wasn't for Penny always saving him when in trouble.

Mary Jane fell in love with Spider Man because he rescued her, he mused.

Maybe that was the reason he had all these feelings. It was all because Penny rescued him.

Sheldon couldn't say he fell in love with her, knowing he doesn't really know what the feeling actually is. He knew that he just had them for her. Feelings.

He heard keys jingling from the other side of the door, and before he could turn, Leonard had entered the apartment with a smug look on his face.

"You won't believe what happened when I came into the building."

Sheldon stood up and looked down at the smaller physicist. "You went out in the hallway, stumbled into an interdimensional portal which brought you 5,000 years into the future, where you took advantage of the advanced technology to build a time machine, and now you're back to bring us all with you to the year 7010 where we are transported to work at the thinkatorium by telepathically controlled flying dolphins?"

Leonard stared at him. "What?"

"Bazinga," Sheldon simply said, before turning around.

"Okay... but anyways, I was entering through the front of the building when I bumped into Penny."

Sheldon immediately faced him. "You what?"

"I bumped into her. She was about to walk up the stairs when I approached and chatted with her," Leonard said proudly.

"Where is she now?"

"She left right after."

Sheldon frowned. Penny was going to surprise him with a visit but ended up leaving after talking to Leonard. "What did you two talk about?"

"Oh, you know... stuff. I suggested we head out for a cup of coffee and she just gave me a nod before walking out. Sheldon, I need her number. I think this can work out, me and her together."

"I hardly think so."

Leonard gasped. "Why would you say that?"

"Penny has no interest in you."

"And you know that how?"

"She told me herself."

Leonard huffed in annoyance. "I see what this is. You just don't want me coming after her because you like her, too! In addition, you're jealous because I can easily ask her out and you can't."

"I do not!" Sheldon protested.

"Then give me her number to prove it."

Sheldon shook his head. "No!"

He stormed to his bedroom without another word.

"Dammit, I'm in big trouble now," Leonard murmured to himself before collapsing down on the couch.

A/N:

A little shorter than usual, but I wrote it to set up the next chapter. Expect it tomorrow ;)

Up next: What really happened between Leonard and Penny.