Sequel to: Verity
Sheldon and Penny go visit their Bizarro counterparts.
Notes:
For Dragon.
Penny had to refresh her makeup in the boy's apartment, she spent enough time here that it was no surprise that she found everything needed.
After crying her eyes out and talking it out with Sheldon she was feeling much better. They had the opportunity for a fresh start and she was not going to let it go to waste. And she made a vow to herself to not allow Sheldon to feel like he was no one's choice. Penny had already left him behind once and it was not going to happen again.
Coming out from the bathroom she saw Sheldon was in his spot and was focused on the metallic box in front of him. Not fiddling with it or modifying it in any way.
¨Are we ready for launch Honey?¨ Sliding into the role of his friend once again comes easy to her.
¨Penny? This is not a rocke-oh-, I see.¨ Breathy little laugh. ¨Yes, we're ready. I was waiting for you.¨
Time to come clean about the one thing she has not revealed ¨Hey Hon, can we take a seat for a moment? There's something I need you to tell you.¨
Sheldon sits in his spot and he gives her his full attention.
¨Remember that I told you about the Other Penny and Sheldon being roommates?¨ And before he can interrupt ¨And yes, I know about your eidetic memory it was a rhetorical question.¨
He looks a little upset at being interrupted but otherwise gives no other reaction.
¨Iwasn'tfullyhonestwithyouasIdidn'tknowhowyouwouldhandleitbutsince-¨ and she has to take a deep breath or risk passing out. 'Okay, calm yourself'
¨Sorry, sorry, I meant to say that I didn't share one important detail. That the Other Penny and Sheldon are together.¨
He looks at her blankly and she wants to facepalm, of course Sheldon needs it to be spelt out.
¨As in, romantically involved with one another.¨ She can see him process this information in real time and is a bit let down that his only reaction is the squeak of an 'oh'. Sheldon might as well be frozen for all he's moving.
She had been worried about how he would handle this information, she expected doubt, confusion or even disbelief. But this quiet shocked Sheldon is not the reaction she expected, not at all. She's still studying him so she catches the flush and how his hands are bunching up his shirt.
¨I see.¨ He finally says and it still sounds like a squeak that she can't help but giggle and shake her head. He's probably imagining that the other version of herself hogtied her version of Sheldon and dragged him in front of a justice of the peace to make an honest man out of him.
¨Yes, well, thank you for telling me Penny.¨ He is refusing to look at her and instead is pretending to work on the machine, he can be so innocent and cute sometimes.
¨So, we're ready now?¨ Best to move this along or they'll never go.
Sheldon simply nods and for the first time since this whole thing began he looks nervous, but before she can ask if he's sure about this, he presses a small button on the side of the machine. She can hear that same noise, something being suctioned, and suddenly there's a shining portal where Leonard's door should be.
She didn't have time to really appreciate it before but, this is huge, this is going to change the world in ways that she doesn't even know and Sheldon's face and reaction only reinforces that idea. It's like his body can't contain the excitement and happiness he's feeling, he turns to look at her and the unrestrained joy in his face is enough that she feels a grin break her face because this is just pure untainted joy, 'Sheldon should always have this expression.' She sighs knowing that neither of them had been happy for a long time.
¨C'mon Honey, let's go meet…well, I suppose you'll meet 'Us' or a version of us.¨ Her earlier apprehension is gone and now she's excited for this trip. Last time she was worried about not knowing if she was going to make it back home so she couldn't ask questions, she wanted to ask Bizarro Penny 'Are you happy?' and she wanted advice from a version of her that seemed to have her life together.
¨Penny, we should hold hands, I don't know if otherwise we'll be taken separately but I rather not risk it.¨ His hand looked big but there was no way she could miss the shaking. She could have teased him, or complained but instead she simply held his hand. She had forgotten how big his hands actually were.
Taking one last calming breath and then they were both falling, she knew that this feeling was temporary but her stomach still did flips. And just as suddenly they were touching solid ground again. She didn't even notice her eyes had closed, Sheldon's hand felt solid and fortifying so she opened her eyes and was excited to see the same room as that morning.
One half of the room had superhero paraphernalia as well as toys, figurines, etc and the other side had shoes, bags and she hadn't noticed the first time but there was also a collection of care bears carefully sitting at the top of the shoe closet. Looking back she saw the hallway leading to the living room, no portal. This time she didn't freak out and tried to enjoy this trip, judging by the sunlight coming from the window. This was either morning or early afternoon in this Universe, how much time had passed for this version of themselves?.
It finally clicked for her that Sheldon had remained suspiciously quiet so far so looking at him she saw an extremely shocked Sheldon Cooper, open mouth and wide eyes trying to take everything in front of him. She had to snap her fingers several times in front of him until he finally reacted and turned those wide eyes at her.
¨It worked, it truly worked.¨ His voice was just a whisper and just as she was about to tease him a little he started crying, huge fat tears ran down his face. Before she could react he pulled her to him and crushed her against him.
Penny was not a delicate flower, but even she was surprised by the amount of strength that Sheldon's skinny body had and just as she was about to push against him she caught him still whispering and it broke her heart, ¨I'm not a failure.¨ he kept repeating this like a mantra and she decided to respond to his hug in the same way and held him tightly against her. Two broken individuals embracing each other in a different universe.
Penny wasn't sure how long they spent embracing each other but Sheldon finally pushed her away and gave her one of his small but sincere smiles. She smiled back and squeezed his body one last time before letting go.
¨C'mon Honey, let's go see if anyone's home.¨ She held his hand and guided him outside.
The apartment looked pretty much the same as it had that morning. She was much calmer this time so all of those little details she missed the first time now were clear. Throw pillows, the blanket on the couch, the cabbage patch doll sitting next to Sheldon's Green Lantern figurine, the post it notes in her girly chicken scratch littering the side of the fridge, an astrology calendar, a pink border whiteboard filled with ideas for a show sat right next to another plain whiteboard that contained formulas. She could see herself living here, there was a longing in her for this place. A home she never knew.
They both stood in the middle of the living room and took everything in, she wished that she could pick open his head to know what was going through his mind at that moment.
¨Moonpie? You forgot something?¨ The voice coming from the bedroom made them jump and they turned just as Bizarro Penny stepped into the hallway adjusting her robe. Penny felt that a tiny cute wave was the right course of action.
Bizarro Penny didn't even stop in her stride, she kept going to the kitchen, ¨You're not getting the satisfaction of surprising me, I told Shelly this would happen but does he listen to me? Nope.¨ She started to fill a tea kettle to boil, ¨But what do I know right? I'm just his wife and my hunches are always right. 'Penny, don't be silly' Hah, who's silly now Moonpie.¨ She finally turned to look at them and sighed, ¨Sorry, it's just, hormones, you know how it is.¨ She waved a hand as if blowing away smoke.
¨Hormones?¨ Penny felt herself asking.
Instead of answering, Bizarro Penny opened her bathrobe to show a small and perfectly round baby bump and Penny's gasp was echoed by Sheldon beside her.
Ignoring how she and Sheldon were stunned into silence, Bizarro Penny pulled out her phone, pressed a couple of buttons and then put it on the kitchen island, they could hear it ringing. ¨Dr. Sheldon Cooper.¨ Of course he replied like that in this world too.
¨Hey Moonpie, you owe me that Cabo vacation AND the Cheer Bear.¨
¨Penny? What are yo-oh-¨ a groan of pure frustration comes through the phone ¨I'll be right there, keep them occupied meanwhile please.¨
¨Will do. Love ya.¨
¨I love you too.¨ And the call ends.
She's not sure what she finds the weirdest. The fact that the Bizarro versions of themselves obviously loved each other very much or the fact that their banter was pretty much the same as theirs had been in the past…without the love you's…and the baby making.
Bizarro Penny went about preparing herself a cup of tea and something in Sheldon finally reacted because he directed her to sit down while he took over the task. Bizarro Penny's light pat on the cheek and muttered ´Thank you Shelly' made him freeze for a moment and Penny could see the tension in his muscles, he didn't know how to handle this and if she was honest with herself, neither did she.
It was one thing to know Bizarro Penny and Sheldon were a couple but that baby bump made it all so much more real. Penny took the time to really observe Bizarro Penny and was once again struck by how this version of her was so much different. Bizarro Penny was obviously tired but she seemed to have a permanent smile on her face.
¨So…baby?¨ She squeaks and Sheldon turns to look at her as if she was crazy.
Bizarro Penny laughs, thanks Sheldon for the cup of tea and takes a sip before answering. ¨I always liked your tea better. Thanks Shelly.¨
Sheldon colors a little and mutters a 'You're welcome.' and Penny feels…something. She is not sure she can put it into words and she's not sure that she wants to. She's weirded out at how not weird it is that this Penny sounds so at ease and in love, it's a small thing but it carries a significance that she can't fathom but Bizarro Penny starts talking and Penny gladly backs from this line of thinking.
¨Yep,¨ popped word and everything ¨baby. For us it's been 6 months since we last saw you. How about for you?¨
¨It was literally this morning for me, Sheldon figured out that we could return and he couldn't wait, neither could I to be honest and,¨ she pauses, unsure ¨and here we are.¨ tries to smile and is happy that Bizarro Penny smiles back.
¨I knew that you guys would be back. My Moonpie was sure that you would not return but I had a gut feeling. And you guys got me my vacation and my Care Bear so I'm a happy duck.¨
While they wait for Bizarro Sheldon to get home Penny decides to tell Sheldon about meeting the other version of him and is stumped when he asks ¨But why would two Penny's imply that it is a birthday?¨ honest confusion in his features and Penny can feel the blush creep up when Bizarro Penny decides to be helpful.
¨Oh Shelly, you know, having your cake and eating it too…and then seeing your cake eat another cake.¨ Bizarro Penny frowns at the lack of understanding in his face and glances at her. Penny can only shake her head hoping she gets it. She does not.
¨Um, inviting a guest star to the show?.¨ She buries her head into her hands, this can't be real.
¨Having a three-piece meal?¨ She's mortified and looks up at Bizarro Penny to ask her to stop when she sees the shit-eating grin on her counterpart's face. She's enjoying this.
Finally having enough she whispers the answer to Sheldon and he turns to look at her uncomprehendingly for a moment before his face literally flushes tomato red and he gives her an outraged ¨PENNY!¨ and then turning to the other version of her ¨PENNY!?¨
Of course Bizarro Penny finds this to be the funniest thing ever and can't stop laughing while Penny is trying her best to sink into the kitchen island stool. Alternate universes were dumb.
Still wheezing, Bizarro Penny tells Sheldon ¨I'm sorry Shelly but that was way too funny.¨ wiping tears from her eyes she continues ¨And don't worry, I don't share and neither does he. It was just a joke.¨ Sheldon just mutters something and Penny is too mortified to pay attention to it but Bizarro Penny just chuckles a little more at him.
A phone ring interrupts them ¨Whatup Moonpie?¨ She can see Sheldon's eyebrow twitch in annoyance, Penny is not sure if it is because of the nickname or the grammar.
¨Oh! Yeah, that sounds great, hold on, let me ask.¨ Turns to them and stage whispers 'Thai food good for you two?' She turns to look at Sheldon and hesitantly nods alongside him ¨Yeah, it's fine. Oh, don't forget some of those prawn spring rolls, and the sweet chilli sauce. Okay, thanks. Love you too.¨
Penny is suddenly jealous of the soft smile on Bizarro Penny's face, she looks so happy and content. Why couldn't she get that? Did she really fuck up so much her choices that it lead her to be in a loveless relationship with a man that barely even likes her and the part that he likes is just because she's blonde and hot. She can't even enjoy football anymore without it somehow making Leonard feel, she doesn't even know what, emasculated? Disappointed in her? As if she failed some girly test that only he knows the answers to, and she can never pass.
Bizarro Penny catches the look and holds her hand and it makes Penny feel worse. It's not Bizarro Penny's fault, there's no magic button, no time machine. She can either be jealous and wallow in self-pity or do better, take control of her own destiny. Yeah, she likes the sound of that much more and it gives her the strength to return a watery smile at the woman in front of her, this woman who is her and yet is not.
¨Penny?¨ Sheldon's usually confident voice is now guarded, this is freaking him out more than he expected. And when two blonde heads swivel at him at the same time he doesn't know where to look and just points to Bizarro Penny quickly before bringing his hand back down ¨Ah, Penny, you.¨
¨You can call me Queen P if it's easier.¨ Bizarro Penny says teasingly and Sheldon brightens now being sure of how to address this version of her and completely missing the teasing tone.
¨That is acceptable. Queen P,¨ he starts and Penny sees the fond exasperation in Bizarro Penny's head shake and smile. ¨I was wondering, Penny, I mean, my Penny, she mentioned that you knew your Sheldon since you were kids. Could you perhaps tell me more in detail how this occurred? I must admit to be baffled at what events would need to take place for it to happen.¨ Penny turns eagerly to Bizarro Penny, this is a story she wanted to hear in full, last time she was in no place to listen to it, but now? She needed the details.
Bizarro Penny hums and looks up, ¨Well…I suppose the biggest thing is that we moved to Galveston, Texas. I remember you mentioned growing up in Nebraska.¨ Points at Penny and she nods once to confirm. ¨But when I was 9 things got difficult at home. My father always was an insecure man. You know the type, he was always hounding mom about where she was going and who she was talking to. It was bad. I don't know why but my father loved to cheat on mom and then brag to her about it.¨ A grimace of disgust crossed her face at the memory.
¨And when mom threatened to leave or started packing her bags, he would always try to guilt trip her into staying. 'Think of the kids, do you really want them to grow up without their dad?' or his favorite, 'Are you really willing to throw away all our years together for one silly mistake?'.¨ Bizarro Penny's head shakes as if to rid it of the memory by force alone.
¨Anyway, it was bad. Mom started drinking heavily by that point, Timmy was already well on his way to juvie, Maggie was looking for any means to leave home even if it meant marrying the first asshole that crossed her path and I was trying so hard to impress my dad. I thought that if I became the son he always wanted, that things would be okay. He could stop whoring and mom would stop drinking and then one night I walked past my parent's bedroom on the way back from Junior Rodeo and saw my mom crying. It wasn't like the other times, she looked sober, I was hesitant if I should talk to her or not, our relationship by this point was not the best. But in the end I went in and sat next to her on the bed.¨ Bizarro Penny swipes at a couple of tears but her voice is steady.
¨I don't exactly remember what we talked about, but I'll never forget the face she made when I told her why I was doing Junior Rodeo. She had this horrified look and she held me so tight that it hurt. A month later we were on our way to Texas. I don't know why mom chose Texas but it was the best thing that could have happened to us. Timmy actually went back to finish High School and found that he loved shop, while he never cared much for engines back in the farm, now he couldn't get enough of them. Maggie was pissed at first, she was acting all brat-like but she and mom started going to church and Maggie started changing…apparently one of the boys in Sunday school was very hot.¨ The wry grin on her face is more fondness than anything else.
¨As for me, I have to admit that while not as bad as Maggie, I was still a little shit. I was a daddy's girl and even though mom had explained to me the reason why we had to leave, well, it didn't make it any easier. I befriended the girl that sat next to me on the first day of school. One Missy Cooper.¨ Sheldon gasps. ¨We had a lot in common. She was also a little shit back then. We bonded over our frustration for our family situations and by the end of that first month of being in school we had become inseparable. Missy would always come to my house, she never wanted me to go to hers but one day that Maggie and mom were fighting more than usual Missy actually dragged me to her house, and I met the love of my life.¨ She sighed fondly before smirking at Sheldon ¨Georgie Cooper.¨
Sheldon sputtered and even Penny found herself laughing.
¨I'm kidding Shelly, I'm kidding. I love your brother but he's as sharp as an obtuse angle at times. I mean, yeah, I had a crush on Georgie but then he opened his mouth and well, there was a reason why Meemaw didn't let him balance the books.¨ Penny is assaulted again by that feeling, this woman in front of her, she's lived a full life alongside these people. She talks of Sheldon's family with the ease and familiarity of years. Penny's heart breaks a little for what could have been.
¨Wait.¨ Sheldon interrupts and he tilts his head in thought. ¨You said you met Missy in class.¨ Waits for Bizarro Penny's nod before continuing. ¨But Missy is the same age as me and we're five years older than Penny.¨
Bizarro Penny's eyebrows go high and turn to her in question. Penny simply nods to confirm. Bizarro Penny's jaw drops in surprise. ¨Wow, well, here you and Missy are only 2 years older than me. Missy was held back a year and that's why I was able to be in the same class as her.¨ She explains sounding off put for the first time.
¨Missy was held back?!¨ Penny snaps her fingers in front of him and chastises him ¨Sweetie, not the point.¨ Penny makes sure he is paying attention to her. ¨Is this possible, that in one universe we're different ages. Maybe even one where I'm older than you?¨ Sheldon listens to her but doesn't seem to be registering her words and she's about to snap her fingers again when he nods at her and simply says ¨Everything is possible.¨ Good enough for her.
Bizarro Penny continued with her explanation, ¨Er, yes, so I met Sheldon the first time I visited Missy's home. He was cute in an annoying way and always needed to be the smartest person in the room. He was the mad scientist and I became his assistant…Poor Snowball. And somewhere between us having shooting competitions and prank wars I fell in love with the Wackadoodle.¨
The sound of keys followed by the door opening interrupts the tale. Bizarro Sheldon walked in and was instantly frozen in place at seeing Sheldon, who himself is equally frozen in place. Rolling her eyes, Bizarro Penny grabs the bags of food and moves to the couch motioning to Penny to follow her and then points to the loveseat where in another universe Leonard's chair sits. ¨Just give them a second.¨ And she's handed a take-out container. 'Huh, Pad See. Score'.
¨Fascinating.¨ Penny is not sure who said it but the Sheldon's are finally reacting. Seeing them side by side like this makes it easier to tell the differences between them. Bizarro Sheldon has laugh lines and he is not as jerky in his movements, there's also a confidence in the way he moves that is missing from her Sheldon.
¨Hey Moonpie, kiss me before you kiss your doppelganger.¨ Both Sheldon's turn to glare at her but Bizarro Sheldon complies and before sitting in his spot, he gives Bizarro Penny a chaste but sweet kiss, Penny doesn't miss the way his hand moves to lightly touch the baby bump and in one interaction she can see the love and care they have for each other. It makes her eyes water and she takes a bite of her noodles to drown the sob trying to escape as her Sheldon joins her in the loveseat.
¨I was telling our guests how you shouldn't gamble against me.¨ A teasing grin that is matched by Bizarro Sheldon.
¨I will win one day Woman.¨ The grin takes all the bite from the response. And Penny's heart squeezes a little.
¨Anyway. As I was saying, I fell in love first with my Moonpie here first but he fell harder for me.¨
Bizarro Sheldon is suddenly very interested in finding the right container for him, ¨There was no falling involved. We simply made the logical choice for our respective partners and came to the only logical conclusion that I was the ideal mate for you and you for me.¨ The tone is clinical and detached and is fully ruined by the blush in Bizarro Sheldon's face as well as the small twitch on his cheek. Bizarro Penny's soft smile makes Penny think that they are used to telling this story in this exact same way.
¨He was head over heels in love with me by the time it came for him to get his first doctorate…I was also fourteen so both Mom and Mrs. Cooper forbade us from getting married. We had to wait three years, but then I was able to join him here in Pasadena so I could attend college.¨
Penny can't believe what she's hearing. This version of her wanted to get married at fourteen?. She tries to remember what it was for her at that age and can only remember that she dated 4 different boys right before turning fifteen and then discovering sex and never wanting to get married.
¨It must be nice to be each other's first kiss huh?¨ Penny asks them. And it's the sudden silence that makes her look up from her food. Bizarro Penny is still smiling but there's an edge to the smile now, her eyes are hard as she looks at Bizarro Sheldon, and he's looking at Penny like she just said that Batman was overrated.
¨…or not?.¨ Penny says into the silence and even her Sheldon is looking at her like she's crazy.
Bizarro Sheldon seems to have more common sense or at least is able to handle situations better because he tells Bizarro Penny to go finish their food in their bedroom while he and Sheldon talk science and boring stuff as he very skillfully directs his pregnant wife.
Once they're alone in their bedroom Penny takes the chance to look around and is not surprised to see that the closet is divided in two, with the half containing women's clothes being slightly messy. Without so many of Sheldon's things the room was actually spacious, there was a cute looking vanity with some very expensive products on it. 'Damn, she has the good stuff' A quick and guilty thought crosses her mind.
¨Hey, sorry about that, earlier, I mean. It'sobviousthere'ssomehistorythereand-¨ Bizarro Penny sighs and waves her hand.
¨It's nothing, don't worry. But!,¨ and she turns serious and points a finger at Penny, ¨If you ever meet a Paige Swanson, don't let her get her grubby little paws on Sheldon. Capisce?¨ Penny can only nod and make a mental note to ask Sheldon about this Paige.
¨So, we're not a fan of Paige?¨
¨No. We're. Not.¨
¨Got it.¨ 'Sorry Paige'.
Bizarro Penny shook her head and gave her a forced smile ¨Enough about me, tell me what you didn't tell me last time. I know there's more to the story and those two out there will take forever.¨ For some reason Penny is more focused on the fact that they're eating in Sheldon's room than anything else. Like she's doing something naughty. She voices these thoughts and chokes on her noodles at the response. ¨Just let him knock you up and you'll see he adapts quickly.¨
Penny knows she can be blunt but being on the receiving end is not fun.
Once she recovers she tells Bizarro Penny as much as she can. How Leonard was a nice guy and it was a nice change of pace from her usual dating pool. He wasn't a meathead and was actually smart and could be sweet. Except. He wasn't actually. He started treating her differently, tried to change her, made her take psych classes and it wasn't until Sheldon pointed out how he was basically trying to turn her into his mother that it clicked and she broke up with him. Only to be back with him when her father turned up and basically told her she would not find anyone better and she should hold on to him. How Leonard went from this sweet guy to a controlling and manipulative stranger, she stopped wearing shorts and tops, she stopped trying to act, she stopped spending time with Sheldon, she stopped sitting next to Sheldon, she stopped going out dancing…she stopped being Penny. All to please him, because she was afraid of ending up alone and unloved. But it didn't matter, because she was still lonely, she was still feeling unloved, she no longer enjoyed sex, it became a chore, the only moment her acting classes came in handy.
She cried her way through how their friends were basically just tolerating her and Sheldon. Bernadette acted like Penny was spoiled for wanting to feel loved. Amy praised and insulted her in the same breath. She did not even bother telling Bizarro Penny about Howard and Raj.
Penny held onto Bizarro Penny as if her life depended on it, she told how she had abandoned Sheldon, how they had reconciled but she was still afraid, of not being good enough to be her friend, of regressing to the same relationship. Their group of 'friends' was bad for her and Sheldon but she didn't want to leave without Sheldon.
Bizarro Penny listened to it all without interrupting while rubbing small circles on Penny's back and once Penny finally said all she needed to say Bizarro Penny sing 'Soft Kitty' to Penny and it made her cry again but this time there was laughter as well, because of course it had to be that song.
A yelp of pain from the living room made both Penny's scramble for the door, each trying to reach their respective idiot.
Penny was the first to reach the living room and she was shocked that it was exactly what she expected for once in her goddamn life. Bizarro Sheldon was standing and looking at his hand like he couldn't believe he had just slapped someone else. Meanwhile, her Sheldon was still in the loveseat holding his cheek with both hands and looking up in disbelief at Bizarro Sheldon. Penny went to check on her Sheldon and he looked at her like a lost deer. She tried to be angry but she had kind of expected this outcome.
Bizarro Penny was checking on her own Sheldon and once she knew he was fine she started to question him ¨What the hell was that? Does this Sheldon believe in loop theory? Did he say the Flash sucks?¨
Bizarro Sheldon finally reacted and pointed at her Sheldon, ¨He gave up on his Penny!.¨
¨She said NO!¨ Sheldon stood up and glared at his Bizarro counterpart and Penny was feeling lost, she didn't know what they were talking about.
¨So, the 'great' Sheldon Cooper took the easy way out, is that it?¨ Bizarro Sheldon was also glaring back and she was thankful Bizarro Penny was in the way as it looked that was the only reason he hadn't taken a step towards her Sheldon.
Penny decided to copy her own counterpart and put herself in front of her Sheldon, this was quickly moving in a direction she didn't want. What the hell had happened here.
Bizarro Penny took hold of Bizarro Sheldon's face and forced him to look at her, her words were quick and angry, ¨Explain. Simple terms.¨
Bizarro Sheldon vibrated in his place and with a sigh all of the tension in his body left and he collapsed into his spot. Bizarro Penny quickly took a seat in his lap and Penny suspected that it was because she knew he would not get up while she was there.
While Bizarro Sheldon no longer looked like he wanted to slug it out his words still carried a certain amount of tension and anger ¨We were discussing several topics when I asked why he hadn't asked Penny out yet.¨ Penny's mouth went dry and she kept her eyes in her hands, currently pushing against her Sheldon's chest.
¨He claims that he asked her out and was rejected.¨ Wait. What. When.
¨I requested clarification on the matter and Sheldon said that he allowed Penny to believe the invitation had been a childish attempt at making Amy Farrah Fowler jealous as he didn't want to face further humiliation.¨ Penny's hands were trembling now, she didn't know if it was rage or anxiety.
She remembers that day, Sheldon had asked her out and she had said that Sheldon was only doing it to make Amy Jealous, that…that he didn't care about her in that way. Fuuuuuuck. Penny closed her eyes because she couldn't believe she really was this stupid. Sheldon only says things that he means.
¨I inquired if he was happy to make Penny believe that and he confirmed that it was his course of action as Penny was in love with his roommate Leonard and her rejection was further proof of this, as such he could give up on courting her.¨
Penny's hands are still on Sheldon's chest but they're no longer to keep him away, but to keep her steady.
¨I rejected his conclusion as he had arrived at it with false data. Even I, with my limited experiences in human emotions, can understand that Sheldon is giving up and not giving Penny the chance to respond honestly and thus denying her a choice. I…reacted poorly to this information and was further provoked when Sheldon admitted to not wanting to rectify the situation.¨ Shame crawls into his voice ¨I acted impulsively, I apologize. I never expected my reaction to be so visceral.¨ Looks into Sheldon's eyes ¨I disagree with your conclusion and findings but should not have acted in this manner. Would you like a hot beverage?¨
Penny finds herself turning to look in disbelief at Bizarro Sheldon. Bizarro Penny is giving him an equally incredulous look.
¨That would be acceptable. I accept your apology.¨ Penny turns to look at her Sheldon, still in disbelief. 'That's it? They're back to being friends?'. Turning a pleading look to Bizarro Penny she finds a mirror of her current expression.
Wackadoodles.
Bizarro Penny threatens the boys to behave and reminds them that the time is short so they need to limit their talk to geeky stuff and science. Both Sheldon's quickly agree and promise to play nice.
And it's not until she's back in the bedroom with Bizarro Penny settling in the bed that her brain replays the conversation 'She said NO' and Penny groans as she settles next to Bizarro Penny.
¨He asked me out. I said no, because I assumed that he only did it to make another woman jealous.¨ Penny feels like crying again, today she has cried more than in previous years, but she guesses that's what happens when you realize how fucked up your life is.
¨Well Honey, that's dumb. Sheldon never says anything he doesn't actually feel. So yes, we can agree that was dumb, the question now is, what are you planning to do about it?.¨
¨I don't know. I mean, I'm still dating Leonard and he's still dating Amy. And we're just now recovering our friendship and there's all this other bullshit. Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette will never let us be ourselves and-¨ Bizarro Penny puts a hand on her mouth to stop her rant.
¨Okay, first of all, breathe. Second, forget all that BS, I asked what you were planning on doing. I'm not telling you to go back to your universe and marry the man. In fact, it might be a good idea to stay single for a while and just try taking it one day at a time with Sheldon.¨
Penny hesitates, wanting to ask if she thinks she and Sheldon can make a relationship work but then her eyes rest on the baby bump of the other woman and she swallows the words.
Bizarro Penny takes her hesitation for something else, ¨And don't you tell me that it's because you're both dating someone else. I can already see it, you are going to break up with your goblin and he's going to break up with this Amy girl and you will both dance around the issue and pretend it's normal because you're both cowards and you'll start dating in 5 years expecting the time be right for everyone but yourselves.¨ And the worst part was that Penny could picture that exact scenario happening.
¨So what should I do?¨ Maybe this is what it felt like having an older sister that gave a shit about you?.
¨Look, the environment you both are in is super toxic. You told me all about your friends and not one thing was good, Bernadette wants to make you into a stepford wife and Leonard only wants you as a dick-warmer. Amy wants to change who Sheldon is by vetoing every single of his hobbies and the guys just treat him like a thing with no feelings instead of a fellow human being. I think you need to get out of there, if Sheldon was alone I don't think he would do it. But, he has you right?. Sheldon does best when you are direct with him. Be blunt and just go 'Do you have a plan for you and me to escape this environment?' and I'm 99% sure that he'll have like 3 plans in place and each and every one of them accounts for your presence.¨
Bizarro Penny made it sound so easy.
They spent the rest of the time talking about what Penny wanted to do with her life and she had to agree that now with her new job she had disposable income to invest in acting classes as well as improv classes. Bizarro Penny gave her a few tips on how to read scripts and find the clues left behind by the writers on the character they had in mind.
Penny was having fun when the now familiar suction sound interrupted them. Before Bizarro Penny could react Penny hugged her while muttering ¨thank you' over and over. Opening the bedroom door revealed the pair of geniuses inspecting the portal.
¨It's time.¨ Her Sheldon remarked, he was back to his usual demeanor and you'd never know he was slapped by a younger version of himself.
Penny hugged Bizarro Penny again and then gave a big hug to Bizarro Sheldon while whispering into his ear ¨Don't touch my Moonpie again.¨ the wide eye glance he gave her felt pretty good.
Not wasting any more time Penny held onto Sheldon's hand and jumped through the portal. She was feeling pretty good about this entire trip. She's got new determination, a new plan to move her life forward and got her best friend back. All in a day's work.
Landing into Leonard's room felt bad. Not because of the travel itself but because she found she had an almost violent reaction to this room. It smelled of her dad's cologne, of disapproval and barely concealed disgust.
She walked out into the living room, still holding onto Sheldon's hand.
¨I'll go remove the note.¨ He was avoiding her.
Just as he reached to unbarricade the door she hugged him from behind and felt him tense up.
¨Penny wha-¨ He cutoff as familiar voices sounded behind the door.
¨Crap, Sheldon's sick. God, we can never catch a break.¨
¨Look, Penny is with him, that's her writing.¨ Sounded like Bernadette.
¨Haha, that's what she gets for bailing on us.¨ Howard is always lovely.
¨Shhhh, don't make noise. We'll pretend to not have seen this. Raj you still have my emergency bag right?¨
A pause.
¨Then I'll stay with you for a couple of days and come back once Penny begs me to. Lets go.¨
Footsteps going down and then silence.
Still hugging Sheldon from behind Penny goes for broke ¨Moonpie? I don't want to live here anymore. Can we go? Together. I think we'd make pretty kickass roommates.¨
Sheldon instead of tensing sort of goes slack, as if a huge weight had been removed from his shoulders. ¨In my desk, the blue folder is for apartments in California, the gray one is for apartments in Texas and the red one for apartments in New York.¨
¨Okay.¨ She mumbles against the fabric of his shirt. And she means it.
They are going to be okay.
Notes:
Not sure if there's more to explore but I'm not going to deny the possibility.
Also, I really like Paige as a character but this is Shenny country.