What do you get when you pair a Texas drawl, a leather jacket and a scruffy chin? ….what? Oh sorry. I got distracted. What was the question again?

:He Watches:

He leaned his shoulder on the light pole and lit a cigarette. He could see her clearly. She was sitting by herself on a bench, nose buried in a book. Her hair was braided and she had a pencil stuck behind her ear. The sweatshirt and long skirt hid her body, but he knew she was slender, almost too slender. At 14 she had yet to really develop any musculature. Well, he'd take care of that.

The school bell rang and he watched her stand and grab her backpack. As soon as she went back inside he turned and walked away. His jean clad legs ate up the pavement quickly. He ignored the stares and flirty smiles from the group of women he passed by. His mind was firmly centered on her.

Penny Queen walked slowly down Carol Street, her mind on the chemistry test she had coming up the next day.

"Hey."

Penny squeaked in alarm at the deep twangy voice. Leaning against a tree was her new neighbor. He had moved into the apartment across from her and her dad. He was a bit intimidating. He wore faded jeans and a black t-shirt under his leather coat. He apparently rarely shaved. His disheveled hair hung over his eyes a bit. Eyes that were regarding her with amusement at the moment.

"Hello, Mr. Cooper," she replied timidly.

"Sheldon," he corrected. "Mr. Cooper was my father."

Penny hugged her arms to herself nervously. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Sheldon pushed off the tree and walked to her side. She had to look way up to see his face. He had a good 10 inches on her. "I'm here to help you, Penelope Queen."

She looked up into his deep blue eyes and something seemed to expand inside her. It was as if something unfurled in her mind and switched on. "How," she asked softly.

He smiled with encouragement. "I'm going to train you. I'm going to teach you. I'm going to help you fulfill your destiny."

"My destiny?" She could feel a tendril of excitement spread through her veins. It was as if the universe was speaking to her in a language she didn't understand but instinctively connected with.

Sheldon nodded approvingly. "You, my dear, are a potential slayer. And I am your watcher."

4 Years Later

Penny dusted off her t-shirt and grimaced. She was never going to get those grass stains out. She walked across the lawn to where Sheldon was puffing away on his cigarette and rifling through the vamp's wallet.

"Four vamps found and staked in one hour and sixteen minutes," he said calmly. "You're off your game tonight."

Penny tucked her stake in her pocket and plopped down on the grass at his feet. "It's my birthday, Shelly. I wanted a party. At the very least, I could have gone out dancing with Bernie and Raj," she pouted.

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "You're unfocused and petulant tonight. I'm not sure you deserve a party."

Penny gasped and leapt to her feet. "There's a party?! Really? You're the greatest!" she said as she flung her arms around his neck.

He smiled tenderly as he hugged her back. "If you're good, there may even be a gift or two," he teased.

Sheldon slipped from the room and headed back to his own apartment. He had stayed as long as he dared. She was with her friends. She was celebrating life. He was happy for her. Most slayers never made it to 18. She deserved some sort of normality.

He cracked open a beer from the fridge and downed half of it immediately. He knew that tonight her friend Leonard planned to tell her how he felt. Sheldon sighed and slumped in the recliner. When had everything become so messed up? He was her watcher. He was 10 years her senior. It was frowned upon by the council. He loved her anyway. Sheldon downed the rest of his beer and closed his eyes.

He must have dozed off, because he suddenly jerked awake at the feathery touch of lips on his. His shocked eyes met her amused ones.

"Penny?" He looked over at the clock and found only an hour had passed by. "Why aren't you at the party?"

Penny bit her lip for a second and seemed to gather her courage. Slowly she lifted a knee and set it beside his leg. Her hands gripped his shoulders and she placed the other knee on the other side of him. Sheldon groaned as she settled onto his lap.

"Sheldon," her voice was soft and hopeful. "I'm 18 now. No longer a minor. You didn't give me a birthday kiss."

Sheldon's hands went to her waist involuntarily. "Penny, this is not a good idea."

She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Sheldon wrapped his arms around her tightly. After a few moments she pulled back a few inches. "Sheldon I love you. I have almost from the beginning. I think you might care for me. Not as a watcher, but as a man. Do you?"

He smiled softly and tucked her hair behind her ears. "I have loved you since I first saw you. Penny, I am too old for you. You should be with someone your own age."

Penny shook her head. "Sheldon, the guys who ask me out, I don't feel anything for any of them. I only want you."

He searched her eyes carefully. The council would say the sensible thing to do was to send her away. But Sheldon was a bit of a maverick. He didn't always do things the council way. He slid his hands under her thighs and stood up. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he carried her into his bedroom. For four years she had been his slayer, his warrior. Now she would just be his.