Chapter 4

Penny's eyes roved the apartment for Sheldon and spotted him bent over while perusing the fridge. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes slid over his body in that position. She quickly pushed her attraction aside.

Still perusing the refrigerator, Sheldon's voice started in a low drone. "Leonard, huffing and puffing is more suited to the Big Bad Wolf. I thought we settled the issue this morning. You are completely irrational. Also, slamming the door in such a manner is hardly conducive to preserving the integrity of the wood. Now, if you will excuse m—"

Sheldon suddenly stopped and Penny smirked as he straightened in alarm, his back to her. How had she given herself away this time? No matter.

Sheldon's nostrils flared. Vanilla and brown sugar… He whirled around and skittered backward across the floor as Penny approached, a malevolent grin on her face.

"Now, now, Sheldon, such a waste of electricity," the lithe blonde exclaimed as she slowly pushed the refrigerator door closed. She inched tortuously forward, like a lioness stalking her prey. She maneuvered herself around so that Sheldon couldn't escape to the apartment door or his bedroom. The lanky scientist's eyes darted around the room in utter panic before settling to look at a spot near her elbow. She followed his gaze and realized he was eying his gloves and mask.

Oh dammit to hell, is he still carrying those around just in case he sees me?

Penny picked up the items and waved them in front of his face. "What the hell, Sheldon? Do you think I have cooties? Will touching me somehow transfer my love cooties to you and force you into my bed?"

His eyes whipped back to her face in surprise.

"Yes, I know you know. I'm sorry, Sheldon! I didn't mean to fall for you! I tried to hide it! I know how you feel about romance and physical relationships… I knew it was hopeless already. I wasn't going to pursue you or back you into a corner!" She blinked at the realization that she had just done exactly that. Sheldon's mouth opened as though he wanted to point out that very fact, but she cut him off. "You damn Whack-A-Doodle, it's not like I was going to force myself on you. I was trying to find some way to get over it while keeping you as a friend. And then you… you…"

Penny's voice cracked as she trailed off, tears brimming in her eyes. She straightened her shoulders and thrust the gloves and mask toward Sheldon. "Here, take your stupid armor. I don't need to touch you, Sheldon, I just needed to talk." She watched sadly as Sheldon desperately covered himself.

He stared at her. "Penny, I… I… romantic entanglement is not something I know how to confront… and…"

Penny was amazed to see Sheldon freaking Cooper at a loss for words. Her gaze softened, her anger crumbling away. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She clasped her hands in front of her to control her urge to reach out to the taller man. "I just… please know I didn't mean… for this… to fall in… I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. Look, I'm going to take some time away from all this. Have some flings. I hadn't wanted to for so long because of how I felt for… anyhow, I'm sure that would help. I guess I was just waiting to see if there was any hope for… but anyhow. It's what I do, right? It has to work. It always has. Tell the guys that I need some time for myself or something. Or I'll text them. Or something. Oh god, I'm rambling. I'm leaving now. I'm sorry, Sheldon, so sorry."

Penny took a step back, her foot twisting at an angle to walk around Sheldon and to the door. He blinked, his brain catching up to her thought process absurdly slowly considering his normal mental prowess. Was Penny saying she was going to throw herself into some gorilla's arms to get over him? Was Penny saying that she needed to GET OVER HIM?

He reached out and grabbed her arm with his gloved hand. "Penny, don't… don't leave. I have to tell you… I don't know how to say this. It's completely unfair of me to even try to explain this at all."

Penny reached her free arm up, her hand touching just his mask. Sheldon threw himself back against the wall in horror, arms splayed out to his side, fingers scrabbling against the cool surface, his eyes wide and panicked. Penny sighed. "That reaction is explanation enough, sweetie. You don't have to say anything else." A sad smile graced her lips. "I'll be back and things can go back to normal. Just give me some time. Please, Sheldon, please still be my friend. I don't want to lose you." She started to pull away, but just couldn't leave things the way they were. It felt so sad, so abnormal for her. She needed a playful jibe to sign out on. Some payback for all the crazy he'd unleashed on her the last few weeks. She needed him to know that they could be what they used to. Her eyes suddenly sparkled. "And by the way, brave Sheldor, have some cooties - courtesy of Queen Penelope." She stuck out her tongue in jest and, smiling, poked her index finger against the skin of his forehead.

Sheldon and Penny both gasped as an almost electric shock passed between them. Sheldon ripped the mask down. "Penny? Penny?" Her mind muddled through her confusion. Why was everything in slow motion? Why was he so panicked? Then she realized she was collapsing to the floor.

Holy crap on a cracker, did he make a Penny-proof force field to fend me off?

As consciousness slipped away from her, she felt her fall arrested. She couldn't feel Sheldon's arms on her, but considering she hadn't slammed into the hard floor, he must have caught her.

Her brain desperately reached for anything that could make sense of what had just happened.

Unbelievably, she giggled. Exit stage right. Fade to black…