Sequel to College
'Hello Penny,
Meemaw has requested that I ask if you would like to join us for Christmas dinner and festivities in our home in Texas (from the 18th of December to the 28th of December)
I personally was not meant to attend this year, however, after I talked to Meemaw on the phone and told her about you, she insisted that the both of us 'had to attend'.
Of course, do not feel pressured to attend this gathering. Meemaw is perfectly aware that you have your own family and might already have plans in place that can't be rearranged.
Your friend.
Dr. Sheldon Cooper PhD.'
Penny had read Sheldon's email like 400 times already and she was still baffled. Sheldon was inviting her to his home back in Texas. This was huge. What did Sheldon tell his Meemaw about Penny?
It's been only a month since Sheldon went back to California. Her relationship with Dean had crashed and burned just last week. She had liked Dean, but there was something missing, Penny found herself not having anything to talk about with Dean, he wasn't dumb. Not completely. But Penny couldn't connect with him, she had tried to show him The Lord of the Rings but he fell asleep right when Frodo gets stabbed. Penny had felt offended for Sheldon's sake as well.
Reading Sheldon's email once more, Penny has to admit that it's an interesting option. She wasn't planning on going back to the farm for Christmas. She could do without her mother's drinking and her father's recriminations. Her brother and sister did not even cross her mind for her decision, they were all separated by more than physical distance.
Hitting the reply button and Penny sends him a quick reply.
'Sure Sheldon, I would love to.
Ps. Stop signing your emails like that, we're friends, you Wackadoodle.'
And well, if anything, Christmas should be fun this time around.
Penny didn't expect Texas to be warm during winter, Nebraska was a blanket of snow when her flight left and now here she was outside the airport and the weather was pleasantly warm. Penny had to remove her snow jacket because she was starting to sweat.
It was a good thing that Sheldon was so tall, he was easy to spot.
Penny's greeting died in her throat as she got closer to him. A stunning brunette was standing next to Sheldon. If Tamika was beautiful, this girl was gorgeous. Long legs flowed from under the really cute green flannel dress, legs that seemed to go for days. Penny had never been one to worry about her own height but for the first time in a while she wished that she was as tall as this girl.
Silently she moved towards Sheldon, all the while looking as this girl tried to poke Sheldon's side. 'Doesn't she know that he doesn't like to be touched?' The bitter tone clear in her head as she approached the duo.
"Shelly, I might not be a genius like yourself." Sheldon scoffed, "But I'm willing to bet good money that this little blonde thing is your Penny." The brunette woman smirked at Sheldon and then Penny.
"Missy, while your observation powers are usually lackluster at best, in this case, you are correct. How could you tell?"
"She looks like she's ready to break me in half."
Penny was mortified and Sheldon was confused. This was Missy, his twin sister. And judging by the smirk directed her way, this Missy had her number. Penny could only close her eyes in shame.
"Well, that doesn't make sense. Hello Penny."
"Oh, it does Sheldon, trust me." Missy was really having fun.
"Hi Sheldon…Hi Missy."
At that Missy finally laughed and pulled Penny into a hug. Missy seemed to be wholly different from Sheldon, she had expected different but she didn't expect to be met with a freaking supermodel.
Penny had missed Sheldon so as soon as Missy let her go she went and hugged him tightly, he had gotten better at hugging and Penny felt tears threaten to spill at being in close contact with Sheldon again.
"Hi Sheldon. I missed you." Her words were muffled against his plaid shirt.
"Hello Penny. I missed your presence as well." His voice was calm as always but Penny thought she heard a small hitch of emotion somewhere in there.
"Sweet. Baby. Jesus." Missy's voice was full of disbelief and Penny, still in Sheldon's arms, had to turn her head to look at the other woman. At least Missy was no longer laughing but she now looked shocked into next week. 'Huh, wonder why?'
Letting go of Sheldon, Penny went to grab her bags but Sheldon beat her to it and quickly stashed them in the back of the truck. A moment later they were on their way to the Cooper household.
Missy kept looking at Penny through the rearview mirror and it was starting to freak Penny out, she hadn't done anything wrong, at least nothing to make Missy look like she was the second coming of Jesus.
"So Penny, Shelly here tells me that you're studying to become an actress?"
"Ah. Yeah, I've always enjoyed being in the school plays and that eventually led me here. Thanks to Sheldon I've been having an easier time with my classes. He's always ready to help me."
Missy's eyebrows went up and she turned to look at Sheldon in disbelief. Sheldon looked at her confused and simply told her "Missy. I do not wish to die a fiery death, please keep your eyes on the road."
Missy asked no further questions after that. After a 40 minute drive Penny was delighted to see that they were driving into an island. 'Holy crap, Galveston is an Island!' Penny had been crap at geography.
The Cooper Household was a beautiful two story house, like the kind you'd see in Reba.
"Wow Sheldon, this is an amazing house!"
"I agree. After my father died we moved back to Galveston, though I spent very little time in this house I still have a room set up for me."
"Yeah, our Meemaw wanted to get away from Medford and once Shelly bought this place, she just bought the house next door." Missy really had a nice smile.
"Wait. You bought it, Sheldon? Weren't you like fourteen when your father died?" Missy looked surprised that Penny knew that much.
"That is correct. By the age of sixteen I had won enough awards to be able to afford this house."
"Awards?"
"Medals, achievements, etc. They all come with monetary prizes as well."
Penny nodded as if that made sense. Sheldon was amazing to be able to do this.
"Let me go tell momma that we're here while you and Penny grab her bags." Missy said that and left for the house without waiting for a reply.
"Hey Sheldon, why is your sister acting so weird?"
"Weird? I don't follow."
"Yeah. Like she was acting shocked when I hugged you."
Sheldon frowned and gave serious thought to her question. "I don't know." He said it slowly, as if he didn't like the taste of not knowing something. "The only thing I can think of is that you're the first friend I've invited back home."
"Oh!" Penny felt warm and it had nothing to do with the weather. "Lucky me. Thank you Sweetie."
"You're welcome?" Sheldon had tilted his head once again like a puppy. 'God I had missed that.'
Taking advantage that they were alone, Penny decided to hug Sheldon again. He smelled like Tide and something she couldn't identify right away, but it was very Sheldon.
"I really missed you Sheldon. Movie nights over the phone just aren't the same." Penny no longer felt like crying, she just wanted to make the most of this visit and the ten days they had together.
"I missed you as well." Sheldon's arms hesitantly, awkwardly hugged her back. But the warmth in his voice made this the best hug she had received in years.
Penny could have stayed like this for hours but the voices coming from the house forced her to step back and face his family.
"See momma? I wasn' lying." Missy looked smug.
"Thank the lord!" The woman fist pumping like her team had just won the Super Bowl had to be Sheldon's mom, Mary Cooper.
"Way to go Moonpie." And the older woman cackling like a hyena had to be Sheldon's Meemaw.
Sheldon sighed like an old man, "It's hard to be the only normal one in this family."
Penny could only gape at him.
Thankfully things calmed down quite a bit after that. She was quickly introduced to everyone and Penny got to meet Sheldon's mom and Meemaw.
Sheldon's mom was everything Sheldon had told her but dialed down to 2. She thought that Sheldon had been a bit unfair in his description of his mother, like sure, the woman was religious but not a bible thumper. And she had hugged Penny like she had known her for years.
Sheldon's Meemaw on the other hand tho. That was a surprise, Sheldon would have made her believe that the woman was a saint. So the smoking, cursing and drinking older woman comes as a shock. Penny gets told immediately that she should call her Meemaw as well and Penny can't fight back, doesn't want to. Penny wonders if this is what having a Grandma feels like. Her dad's parents died before she was born and her mom's parents had disowned her.
"You'll be staying in the room across from Shelly. You're both adults so I will trust that there'll be no sinnin' in this house." It takes Penny a moment to get what Mrs. Cooper means and her face flushes red.
"No, no, no, no. No sinning." Her voice is high and Mrs. Cooper looks like she doesn't believe Penny.
"Don't worry mother. Penny and I will not engage in coitus under this roof." How the hell can Sheldon look so calm as he says that Penny will never know.
Besides…couldn't he hesitate for a moment?
It's not until they're all having dinner than Penny replays Sheldon's answer in her head and almost chokes on a dinner roll 'under this roof'
'Get your mind out of the gutter Penny.'
Thankfully the rest of the dinner went well. They all seemed to know about Penny, how she wanted to become an actress, that she had come in third place in Junior Rodeo, that she found a love for clothing design. Which warmed Penny's heart and face, she was sure that her face was pink as Sheldon told his family about how Penny could do anything.
Penny couldn't take it, it was too much. She needed to change the subject.
"Sheldon! Pop quiz time." Penny just wanted to ask him about 'Meet Joe Black.', it was the last movie they had seen together in their phone movie nights, sadly, she never got the chance. Before she could ask him 'What nationality Claire Forlani is?' Sheldon had replied already.
"Yes Penny. Your posterior is still one of the best I have ever seen."
Utter silence fell on the dinner table while Sheldon kept eating like nothing was wrong. It was Meemaw's cackling that finally forced Penny to stop gaping at Sheldon and to try and bury herself in her seat. 'Goddammit Sheldon'
Penny was afraid to look at Mrs. Cooper but risked a peek, Sheldon's mom was frozen in place and only her eyes moved, from Penny to Sheldon and back. Missy had a shit eating grin on her face and whispered something in her mom's ear that made the woman look at Missy in shock and disbelief. Missy simply raised an eyebrow in a very Sheldon-like move and gestured with her head to Sheldon and Penny. Mrs. Cooper went back to eating looking pensive.
No one commented on Sheldon's words and that was what weirded out Penny the most. Meemaw's insane cackling did not count.
"I can't believe you Sheldon. You had to say that in front of your entire family?" Penny was in the room Mrs. Copper had assigned to her and Sheldon was helping her with her bags. Now that they were alone she felt that this was a good time to hash this thing out.
"Say what?" Not even his cute head tilt could save him this time.
"You know mister. About my butt." Penny still couldn't believe that had happened. Mrs. Copper had acted like nothing was wrong but she did mention that Sheldon and Penny couldn't be in the same room and have the door closed. Missy spent the rest of dinner winking at Penny and Meemaw couldn't stop laughing. Sheldon was oblivious through it all.
"I thought you received reassurance from my words?" Clear and honest confusion on his face makes Penny's anger deflate a little.
"Yeah Sheldon, I do. But…okay, let's do this. No talking about my ass in front of your family."
Of course that's the moment Mrs. Cooper chooses to walk past the open door, gives Penny a scandalized look before moving away. Penny has to close her eyes 'I just can't win today.'
"Understood Penny." Sheldon didn't look put out at all. And Penny didn't want him to stop completely.
"When we're alone like this, it's fine." Penny shouldn't do this, not with his mother so close. But… "Sheldon, do I have a nice ass?" Her voice is soft, not wanting Mrs. Cooper to hear her.
"Yes Penny. One of the best." Sheldon was serious like always and Penny could feel a blush creep up all the way up to her hair.
"Thank you Sheldon."
Penny wanted to hug Sheldon again but Mrs. Cooper's loud and fake coughing made her think better of it.
Penny liked the Cooper home. Meemaw was amazing and Missy was someone she could talk fashion and reality TV with, she could already tell they'd be great friends as well. Mrs. Cooper was weird, she swinged from being aloof to super warm. She was never rude but Penny got the feeling that something was brewing in that head of hers.
She also got a shock out of Sheldon's room. It was bare.
No posters, no DVDs, no books, no comics, nothing. There were several whiteboards but it didn't look like the room belonged to anyone and that thought made Penny want to hug Sheldon. Penny has never been one to hold onto things for long, she ends up blurting out her question about his room. The concern would be clear for anyone else but Sheldon doesn't take notice of it.
"Ah, that. As mentioned before I only spent a limited amount of time here. This will be my longest stay in this house since I was sixteen. My apartment in Pasadena contains all of the paraphernalia that you're inquiring about. When you visit California and stay with me you will see it."
Penny was relieved to hear that, she'd been afraid that Sheldon didn't have anything setup. She knew he was a bit peculiar but the thought of him sitting all alone in an empty room made her want to cry.
Also she's thrilled by the 'When'. When, not if.
The days leading up to Christmas were a lot of fun as far as Penny was concerned. Sheldon's Meemaw brought out a side of him that Penny hadn't seen yet. Sheldon was still himself but there was an ease to his movements, the way he carried himself was a little bit more confident and less arrogant.
Penny meets Georgie and his family 2 days into her stay. Ceecee is as cute as a button and Mandy reminds Penny of herself. Georgie is still living in Medford and the 4 hour drive is not one he does often. Sheldon mostly ignores Georgie but plays with his 4 year old niece. Mandy looks sadly between Sheldon and Georgie and Penny immediately knows that there's a lot unsaid between the brothers. Penny doesn't say anything but she joins Sheldon in playing with Ceecee.
Missy takes her shopping one day and gives her the first shock of her stay.
"Penny, darlin'. Listen, I love that you and Shelly have your little thing going on, but I thought it was fair to warn you." Penny's stomach does a flip, "Shelly…doesn't do Christmas. You look like the kind of person that loves the season, but yeah, just so that you're aware that he might not be up for the whole dog and pony show. Momma will invite him to church and mass but he won't go."
Missy doesn't elaborate further but Penny is already thinking how to approach Sheldon. Meemaw talks to her first.
Penny can't sleep one night and she goes out to the backyard, only to find Meemaw sitting in the middle of the yard drinking a beer.
"Hey there Girlie, come, join me." Meemaw points to one of the rusted chairs and Penny sits down. Meemaw asks her about her life and Penny finds it easy to spill her guts to the older woman.
Penny tells her how she was planning on dropping out of college and taking her shitty car to California because she simply didn't know any better, that is, until she met Sheldon. He reassured her that she was on the right track and that she just needed to be patient. That for some reason led her to talk about her parents, how her mother was an alcoholic, her father might as well be a statue for all he talks to her. She mentions her brother and his newfound success in dealing meth and how it was just a matter of time before he got himself caught. Her sister followed their mother's footsteps, getting pregnant as a Senior in High school and dropping out to get married, her husband was a nice guy at least.
Meemaw listens without judging but looks proud that Sheldon was able to make her give college another try.
"Your parents Girlie, they are just kids pretending to be adults. We all are. They will realize their mistakes too late to do anything about them. I'm not telling ya to forgive them because yeah, they've been shit to ya. But keep in mind that even after all, they still sent ya to college. I have a hunch they just don't know how to talk."
Penny doubts it but doesn't retort anything. There was still a lot of resentment inside of Penny, a pain that couldn't be washed away. Even now she was hoping to hear from either of her parents 'Good Job'. In a lot of ways Penny was still that lost 9 year old searching for her Father's approval as the Son he always wanted.
The comfortable silence is interrupted by Meemaw and she gives Penny the second shock of her stay.
"Ya got my Moonpie a present didn't ya?" Meemaw is not looking at her, she's looking at the few visible stars. Her voice is calm and certain. The smell and sound of the sea makes Penny think that the older woman belongs in a movie.
Penny nods, not wanting to add her voice to the scene. Meemaw is not looking at her but she nods as well as if Penny had spoken.
"My Moonpie doesn't like Christmas or gifts. People will often misunderstand, call him weird or worse things. But ya see, my Moonpie has a heart as big as Texas. He feels too much."
And so Penny hears about Sheldon's Pop-Pop, how he encouraged Sheldon to pursue science and knowledge…and how when he died, the young Sheldon did the only thing he could think of in order to bring him back. He asked Santa.
Penny cries as Meemaw tells her how this soured Sheldon on Christmas ever since. A wound so deep that time hadn't managed to heal it.
"So Girlie, don't be too disappointed if Shelly doesn't get you a gift. Just like his Pop-Pop, he can be as stubborn as a mule." Meemaw gave her a sad smile and went back into the house.
Penny stays out and listens to the sea. Thinking of the gift wrapped bundle at the bottom of one of her bags, she wasn't sure what to get Sheldon, but she knew she wanted to get him something. The gift basically chose itself, she was in the mall and walked past a comic book shop and sitting right there on the display was a Christmas Sweater, a Lord of the Rings Christmas Sweater. It was black and white with golden details of the one ring and Sauron's tower, and in the middle of it was Gandalf and Saruman facing off. It was perfect. It was expensive. Penny didn't hesitate to buy it.
If Meemaw hadn't talked to her, Penny would have been furious if Sheldon didn't get her something, but after hearing that story she couldn't be mad.
Christmas eve and sure enough, the family is getting ready to go to church. Everyone but Sheldon and Penny that is.
"Now, we'll be back after midnight, so no shenanigans under my roof." Mrs. Cooper was not one to let sleeping dogs lie.
"On the other hand, my house is open. Just air it out if you do use it." Meemaw said these things more to mess with Mrs. Copper than with Penny but the result was the same, Penny flushed and laughed nervously as they all went outside to Missy's truck.
"Would you like to watch a movie Penny?"
"Sure Sheldon. Lead the way!"
They ended up watching 'Pitch Black' and Penny loved it, she didn't know Sci-fi movies could be like this, the action was out of this world and Penny made a mental note to grab a copy of the DVD once she was back in Nebraska.
Sheldon had made them cocoa with little marshmallows and sitting next him on the couch Penny felt content. She had missed movie nights with her friend.
"Sheldon?"
"Penny?"
"Thank you for inviting me. I've been having a great time here." A pause "With you."
"You're welcome Penny. I must admit that coming here was not the dreadful experience I was expecting. Of course your presence has been invaluable. I was looking forward to seeing you again."
Penny shouldn't do this. She still does it.
"I like you Sheldon."
"I like you as well Penny.
"No. I really like you."
Maybe Sheldon detects something in her voice, finally turns his body on the couch to face her. He's giving her a cautious look, unsure on what the difference is, but doesn't say anything.
"I think you're becoming my best friend." It's not what she wanted to say, but the relief in Sheldon's eyes makes her think that she did the right thing. He's not ready for this.
"You're my best friend Penny. I really enjoy spending time with you."
With a heavy heart Penny hugs Sheldon goodnight, lingering for a moment too long in his arms.
Christmas morning comes, gifts are given and sure enough, Sheldon didn't get her anything. She knew this could happen. It still stings like a bee. Some of the sting is removed when Sheldon is left speechless by her gift, the hug he gives her is almost crushing but Penny wouldn't change it.
Missy, Meemaw and Mrs. Cooper try to make up for Sheldon not getting her anything, Penny is not sure how she will fit all of these new clothes into her bags.
And soon enough her time in Texas comes to a close. She still spends a lot of time with Sheldon and they even manage to create a MSN messenger profile for her. Email is nice but she'd like to be able to have a more instant form of communication with him.
Penny basically spends the last two days in Texas glued to Sheldon's side. He never complains.
Her flight leaves Texas and Penny feels like a part of her stays behind, with the tall scientist whose blue eyes will haunt her dreams.
"No Sheldon."
"But Penny," She interrupts him before he can start.
"No Sheldon, it's my turn to pick the movie and I want to watch 'Clueless'"
"Very well, if you insist." The sigh that comes out of Sheldon could blow cities away.
"C'mon Moonpie, I bet you'll like it."
"..."
"You want to tell me to stop calling you that, right?" Penny could hear the smirk in her own voice.
"...I still insist that Meemaw should not have given you permission to call me that."
Penny laughs at the pout in his voice. She loves these weekly calls with Sheldon, it always makes her feel lighter somehow.
It was May and the weather should be in the mid 50°s but for some reason the termometer didn't go lower than 74°. At least finals are over. Penny was only wearing a tank top and her hello kitty panties. It was just her in the dorm, Tamika was on another date with Jack, she still insisted that they were taking it easy but Penny knew that look in her friend's face, she was head over heels in love.
"No Moonpie, Tai wants to date Josh, but that made Cher realize her feelings."
"Well, that's convoluted."
Sheldon still couldn't get the appeal of rom-coms but Penny would not get tired of explaining them to him. Ever since spending last Christmas together they had been getting closer and Penny knew that she was in trouble.
She was halfway in love with him.
Not just him, but with his family as well. Meemaw had been sending her letters and Penny was more than happy to write back. Missy was always game for celebrity gossip talk and Penny really liked the other woman, she was also waitressing while going to school and in a way Penny found the sister relationship she never had with her own blood sister.
But Sheldon didn't seem to want a relationship. Penny had been dropping hints but Sheldon was either ignoring them or they were going over his head.
Penny was still dating around but none of the guys were Sheldon and instead of getting drunk in their dirty dorm rooms she much rather stay in her room and speak with Sheldon over the phone. She did miss sex, and Penny was seriously considering getting rechargeable batteries because she was spending a fortune on disposable batteries.
"That movie was interesting Penny," Translation, I didn't enjoy it but I don't want to make you sad.
"No worries Moonpie, we can watch it again next time." Teasing him was always fun.
"Oh, no, no. Perhaps we should focus on movies we haven't seen yet."
"Yeah yeah, no worries, I already have our next movie in mind."
"Oh goody." For someone that didn't do sarcasm, that was a good one.
"How is the new roommate doing?" Sheldon was having a hard time finding a roommate that sticks, apparently they all couldn't deal with his idiosyncrasies.
"Not successful I'm afraid. He leaves dirty towels on the bathroom floor and has already 'forgotten' to wash his own dishes for the 4th time this week." An exasperated sigh tickles her ear "At least he'll be gone by the end of the week."
"Aww I'm sorry Sweetie. At least that means that there'll be no one there to cramp our style when I'm there for Summer break."
"Are you certain that your parents won't be upset with you for not going back to see them?"
"I'm planning to go see them for a day before I fly out to California."
"Oh! Okay."
Penny doesn't feel bad about the lie. She did try to reach out to her parents, her father picked up the phone, greeted her cooly and then passed the phone to her mother. Her mother was drunk and started calling her a 'little whore' and mockingly asked if she was calling because she got knocked up and needed help. Penny doesn't really want to talk to either of her parents, but Sheldon couldn't understand, so he doesn't need to know.
"I can't wait to see you again Sheldon."
"..."
Penny doesn't fill in the silence. There's been more and more of these silences lately, maybe she's too optimistic but Penny thinks that they're happening because Sheldon wants to tell her something. It's just that he can't or won't voice it.
"Moonpie?" She says after the silence has dragged on for long enough.
"I have missed your presence as well Penny." Penny thinks that his tone is heavy with unsaid words but she's being too hopeful and quickly dismisses the idea. "And without a roommate you will be able to make use of the extra room instead of the couch."
"Yay for me."
"Yay indeed."
California is everything Penny wanted it to be and more, and she hadn't even left the airport yet. She's trying to take everything in as she walks out and she's able to spot Sheldon easily. No strange woman by his side this time.
Sheldon is sort of leaning against a car and he's sweating something terrible. He looks like he just ran a marathon and Penny can even see him shake a little.
"Sheldon! Are you okay?!" Just her luck that Sheldon is sick as soon as she lands.
"Hello Penny." Sheldon is the one that pulls her into a hug this time. The first hug he ever initiated, and Penny is worried because it feels a little frantic. She dreamed of him hugging her first but now she was worried about him. "I'm okay. California's public transportation is a sure way to get sick or killed so I decided to rent a car for the length of your stay, but I had to drive it here. I don't enjoy driving Penny." Sheldon seems to calm down with each word coming out of his mouth, his shaking is almost gone and he's no longer as pale.
"Awwww Honey, you did that for me?" Penny is touched, she knew how Sheldon felt about driving and yet he still did it. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome Penny. Now, I hope you don't mind driving us back to the apartment."
"Not at all, Sweetie. You'll have to give me directions tho"
They were still holding each other and Penny was in no rush to end this particular hug.
"Perhaps we should move." Sheldon's voice is calm now.
"Yeah, we should." But neither move. What forces them in the end is the loud klaxon of a taxi.
The drive back to Sheldon's apartment is uneventful, Penny is looking around at the streets and trying to burn them into her memory. In another Universe she had dropped out of college and was trying her luck as an actress. Like in that movie Sheldon showed her 'Run Lola Run'. She hopes that the Penny in that other world also gets to meet Sheldon.
Sheldon's apartment building is huge, at least to Penny. He's living on the 4th floor and Penny is glad there's an elevator. Her bags have enough clothes but she's not fooling herself, she worked so many double shifts to save enough money to buy clothes and shoes and not feel guilty about it.
Sheldon shows her around the apartment and Penny is surprised by how big it is, it's like a proper home. Living room, Kitchen, bathroom with a bath, storage closet and a second bedroom. Not to mention all of the geeky stuff, figurines, models, trains, etc. This felt like a lived in place, a home. Not bad. Well, except he didn't have a couch, he had lawn chairs for some reason.
"Thanks again Sheldon, for letting me stay here." Penny told him once they were back in the living room. "Too bad you don't have a couch tho."
"You're welcome Penny. Yes, the couch belonged to my previous roommate."
"Maybe you could get one? You know we could sit there together and watch movies." Penny wonders for a moment if she should say more, she shouldn't. "And you know, we could cuddle."
"...I see…" Sheldon frowns in thought and Penny sighs her hopes away. She should just give up, this trip was also a way for her to finally let go of her feelings for Sheldon. She was going to be staying here for a month and a half and if Sheldon didn't give her any life signs that they could be more she'd be giving up on her feelings for him. They could remain friends, best friends.
Penny hoped that Missy was right about Sheldon also feeling something for her.
"Penny, would you please drive me to the furniture store? We need a coach."
And maybe Missy was onto something.
That first week in California feels odd. Not in a bad way, but Penny felt more like a girlfriend moving in than a friend just staying for a while.
Sheldon and Penny go to pick a couch. They end up picking up a pretty cute green couch and matching chairs…and a coffee table…and a shoe organizer…a closet…a vanity, and okay, Penny might have gone a little shop-crazy and Sheldon just let her buy anything she wanted.
That second bedroom, well, more like the entire apartment, now looked like Penny lived there with Sheldon. It wasn't helping her feelings.
Penny made good on her promise about cuddling with Sheldon on the couch. If it could be called cuddling, that first night on the couch it took Sheldon almost an hour to feel comfortable. But he never asked her to move away.
By night five Sheldon was holding her back and Penny was thrilled.
Sheldon still had work so Penny had the mornings free to do whatever she wanted. For the first few days it was just sleeping in, but then Penny started to hit the stores, as if she needed another reason to love California. The stores alone would make moving worth it.
Missy also called the apartment and squeed in delight when Penny was the one that answered the phone.
"Have you bumped uglies yet?"
"Missy! You know he has superhero hearing. He's taking a shower but I bet he can hear from there."
"Sweet. Baby. Jesus…"
"Not like that, just his regular after work shower."
"Oh. Well, what are you waiting for? Just jump him."
"And make him hate me forever? No. Thank you."
"...look…I'm not supposed to tell you this but Shelly called me a couple of days ago. He asked me about-" Of course that's the moment that Sheldon comes back from his shower.
"Penny. Who is that?"
"Oh, it's just Missy."
"Ah, I shall retire to my bedroom while you two talk. Please knock on my door once you're done so we can talk about what to have for dinner."
"We can make Hotdogs on a stick?"
"Oh Goody!" And he went back to his room.
Missy's voice brings her back to the other conversation "See, you should get married already."
"Nuh uh. You were about to tell me something big. Spill."
"Okay darlin' I don't always like Shelly but I have seen the way you make him happy so I'm going to tell you this only once." Penny is holding her breath, her heart beating quickly "Shelly called and asked what was the best way to ask you out. I told him to just be direct with you. I didn't tell him how you're about ready to throw your panties at him though."
Penny can't refute that statement.
"He asked you that?"
"On my momma, I swear."
Hope burns brightly in Penny's chest, the last time she felt this way she was about to face a rodeo. This time she would break more than her wrist if it went wrong.
That night, as she and Sheldon are cooking together she can't help but steal glances at him through the night. He had really clear blue eyes and she noticed how the corners of his eyes would soften when looking at her. She loved how long his eyelashes were. How the muscles in his arm moved when he wrote on his whiteboard…and yeah, she was screwed.
Week number two brings two important events, one really good and one really bad.
One morning, out of curiosity she goes to UCLA, it's only a 40 minute drive. She hasn't told Sheldon yet but Penny has floated the idea of transferring to her advisor and while annoying, the process was actually simple. Simple, but not cheap. She hoped to talk to the Financial aid admin after visiting the office.
Penny sings and dances on the entire drive back to Los Robles. All of her credits could be transferred and if she wanted she could basically transfer next fall. Financial aid is not so great, she knows that her EFC is basically zero, so she'll need to take out student loans…but she loved UCLA and its campus. And she had read that the students here attend auditions on the regular which also made her want to transfer ASAP. But before making any decisions she needs to talk it out with Sheldon, he'll be brutally honest but she needs that right now, to know she's not screwing herself for life. And she's late for dinner, she stayed there far longer than she expected.
Penny is so thrilled that she doesn't even wait for the elevator, she prances up the stairs and is already calling Sheldon's name as she opens the door, but her voice dies as she sees the scene in front of her.
A strange girl is kissing Sheldon on their couch.
That's the really bad thing.
Penny feels hot and then cold. Time seems to be moving slowly and she's not sure that she's breathing anymore.
She wants to close the door, go back to Nebraska and cry for a year. Of course Sheldon didn't love her, he was a bigshot scientist and she was just Penny.
Before leaving she needed to look at Sheldon's face for one last time, she takes a step into the apartment.
"Penny, help!" Sheldon notices her and his face is a mask of terror, not of Penny seeing him with another woman. But of the woman straddling him.
Paying closer attention Penny can see that Sheldon is trying his best to glue himself to the couch, trying to put as much distance between him and the woman. His arms go up to his face in an attempt to cover himself and she can see tears falling from his eyes.
Penny is now feeling hot again. Hot red anger fuels her.
Before making the conscious decision to move her body is already in front of the couch. The other woman is finally turning to look at her. Penny doesn't give her a chance.
Penny is tiny, she knows this. It has never bothered her. She's got good muscles, farm work will do that for you. The other woman is not a challenge, Penny pulls her off Sheldon easily, throws her towards the still open door.
"Dr. Cooper!" The woman tries to say more but Penny is already there and pushes her out of the apartment. Slamming the door on her face feels really good. Penny is still not sure she has taken a breath since she first opened the door. "I didn't know he had a girlfriend!" The muffled voice is accompanied by a slam on the closed door.
Penny has to close her eyes to try and calm herself, pressing her forehead to the door. She just experienced emotional whiplash in a level she never thought possible. Her heart is still beating wildly and now that the…hussy is out of sight, Penny starts to calm down. She can hear panting and it takes a moment to realize it's her own breathing. Opens her eyes and sees her chest heaving.
It's then that she remembers Sheldon, turns to the couch but he's gone. She can see the door to the bathroom is open and water is running. Taking a deep breath to try and calm herself further she then moves to where Sheldon is.
The image that greets her both breaks her heart and fans the flames of her anger again.
Sheldon is bent over the sink and frantically brushing his teeth, she can see red splotches in the blue foam sitting at the bottom of the sink. Any other time this would be a funny image, but not today. Sheldon is crying and Penny is not sure he's aware of it, he looks lost and even though he's looking at himself in the mirror his eyes are empty and unfocused, there's no more foam left in his mouth, he is brushing his mouth raw. This was more than an unwanted kiss for him.
"Sheldon. Honey. I think that's enough." He turns to look at her, but he's not really seeing her, but at least he stopped hurting himself. But he doesn't answer.
Penny takes a step into the bathroom "Moonpie?" At that his eyes finally focus on her. He still looks miserable and terrified. "Hey, it's me." Penny's voice is soft, hand stretched out to him.
The look in Sheldon's eyes doesn't change, he's almost back but not quite there yet. His eyes are wild with fear looking at her outstretched hand and then at her face.
Penny loved horses, she always did. But Junior Rodeo really allowed her to indulge in that love. There's a wild freedom in riding a horse that can't be compared to anything else. Penny loved Sugarcube, a beautiful chocolate Palomino mare, she was Penny's partner for her entire time in Junior Rodeo. Penny loved horses so much that she would help around the stables just for the sake of it and to make sure Sugarcube was taken care of. The look on Sheldon's eyes is the same look that spooked horses would have before trying to buck a rider, try to bite at you or before someone finds out why you shouldn't stand behind a horse.
Sheldon has that same look.
"Hey Moonpie. It's fine, that lady is gone. It's just us." Penny's voice cracks, she's terrified that Sheldon is somehow gone forever. It's a stupid idea, one stupid lady can't rob the world from Sheldon Cooper. Can't rob Penny of her Moonpie. "It's me."
"Penny?" Sheldon's voice is faint and it breaks her heart.
Penny gulps the heartbreak in her throat before replying "Yeah, I'm here." Tries to sound stronger than she feels.
Sheldon's eyes finally focus, he grimaces in pain and looks down at the toothbrush in his hand in distaste. Throws it into the garbage can with more force than needed. Goes to rinse his mouth with water and Penny cringes at how red it comes out.
"I…" It's rare to see Sheldon speechless but Penny doesn't interrupt him, "She joined me for lunch at the University's cafeteria." Sheldon is holding onto either side of the sink, knuckles white, and he's frowning at the foam still in the sink, "She's an undergrad student and she wanted to talk about Physics. I had seen your message, as such I was aware that you wouldn't be able to come pick me up so her offer to drive me home was ideal for the situation. Or so I thought at the time." The grimace on his face is pure revulsion.
"She asked if she could see the apartment and while an odd request, I saw no reason to deny it. She had been respectful so far." Sheldon laughs but not his breathy laugh, this one is ugly and Penny doesn't want to hear it ever again. "I offered her a hot beverage but she then manhandled me into the couch and forced herself on me. I feel dirty. Even now, the urge to keep brushing my teeth is gnawing at me."
Penny can't hold herself back anymore and she walks fully into the bathroom to hold Sheldon, he is tall and her head is buried between his shoulder blades. She wants to fuse herself to him, to make him stop hurting. He flinches a little at her touch but soon relaxes.
"You know Sheldon. I never told this to anyone but the real reason why I quit Junior Rodeo is because one of the judges kept making passes at me." Her voice gets watery right away, "Until one day, backstage, he forcefully kissed me and grabbed my butt so hard that it bruised." She's glad that Sheldon is not facing her. It took her a long time to come to terms with what happened to her and she's pretty sure what's running through Sheldon's mind right now. "It's not your fault Sheldon."
Penny is not sure how long they stayed in the bathroom, with Penny holding onto Sheldon. But it was Sheldon's stomach rumbling that finally made them move. Penny laughed at the suddenness of the sound and then Sheldon followed. It felt good to laugh after all that.
They ordered Pizza because neither felt like going out or cooking. It was Sheldon's turn to choose the movie but he instead put on Star Trek TOS, Penny didn't say anything but just cuddled with Sheldon on the couch.
She knew there were a lot of things unsaid, but for now they were safe on Sheldon's couch.
Penny was starting to feel cold, her right side was cold and that's what forced her to open her eyes. Batman's logo is what greeted her.
Sheldon and her were lying side by side on the couch. She was between Sheldon and the backrest, they had turned the lights off to watch the TV, which was still on and that was what allowed Penny to make out Sheldon's sleeping features.
Taking hold of the blanket on the back of the couch Penny covered them both.
"Thank you Penny." Sheldon's soft voice surprises her.
"You're awake." Her voice is just as soft. It's only them in the apartment but it feels wrong to raise her voice. "Don't you want to go back to your room?" She's using his arm as a pillow and turns to look up at him.
"I find myself unwilling to move at this moment." Sheldon's chest rumbles a little with each word and Penny finds that it does funny things to her tummy…and lower.
"Okay." Penny's neck is a little uncomfortable in this position and Sheldon is using one of the throw pillows as a pillow. She shimmies up until she's facing Sheldon, his arm moves lower and is under her waist, maybe she imagined that he had pulled her against him. "Hey there Moonpie."
"Thank you Penny." Getting this close to him was a bad idea, her hand moves on its own. Her thumb is lightly caressing his jaw. "For everything."
"You're welcome, Sheldon."
"I've always been called weird. A freak. Almost a real boy. Among many other things. But you treated me like another person. You were nice to me." In the dark Penny could only see some details of Sheldon's expression and she wished that they had left the lights on, she wants to see what kind of face he is making right now. "I am unsure of when my feelings for you grew. Missy was less than helpful when I requested her assistance to analyze them."
Penny held her breath, could it be. After a few moments of Sheldon not talking she had to know "How do you feel about me Moonpie?"
"I find myself wishing to hold you. Penny, you have to understand. This is a new feeling for me. I have experienced physical attraction before, but I have never experienced this…want to hold another person. Imagining myself in this position with someone else is almost painful. But…"
Penny hates the silence, and needs Sheldon to keep going. "But?" She prods him.
"But I'm separated from the average human experience regarding relationships like this. I don't want to lose you."
Penny's heart is soaring. Sheldon hadn't actually said the words, but she knew what he was talking about, knew what it meant. "Why would you lose me?"
This time she definitely doesn't imagine it, the arm around her pulls her closer to Sheldon. "Because I have never been in a romantic relationship before. I don't want to screw up. I don't want you to hate me."
"Aw Moonpie. We will screw up. You will say the wrong thing, I will do the wrong thing. The important part is that we don't stop being friends. That you don't shut me out. Remember that time you called me to ask why you had to play nice at the fundraiser gala? Or how you helped me plan for my acting career? We have each other's backs already."
"But Penny. What if I hurt you?" Penny remembers that night talking with Meemaw. Sheldon had a big heart, there was just a lot of science and geeky stuff around it.
"Then I'll tell you. You're always bragging about that eidetic memory of yours. You're telling me that you're not going to learn?"
"I would hate to lose you."
Penny closes the distance and kisses him. She's very conscious of what just occurred earlier and this might be a bad ide-
Sheldon is kissing her back. It's unsure, awkward and it's the best kiss she's ever had.
This thing between her and Sheldon will not be easy, Penny is fully aware of that. But it can be amazing. Sheldon is a whole lot of difficult, but Penny is not scared of that.
Penny is over the moon with happiness. She and Sheldon decided to give dating a try.
With her previous beaus that would mean making out and then jumping to bed, but Sheldon doesn't work like that. And sure Penny misses sex, but she'd rather wait for Sheldon to be ready than to go out with some rando for a one-night stand.
Sheldon wants to write a contract, which is immediately shutdown by Penny. This will also be Penny's first actual grown up relationship and Sheldon chimes in that it will be his first romantic relationship. Penny wants them to talk about stuff.
She ends up regretting it a little when their first day as boyfriend and girlfriend is spent doing a verbal contract with Sheldon. At least it's a conversation and not a piece of paper.
Penny asks that Sheldon must ask her directly if he has any questions about the relationship and Penny promises to not be mad if he accidentally offends her.
Sheldon asks that Penny be direct with him. Subtleties and indirect social queues make him anxious. His mother was fond of answering his father's questions with a simple 'I'm fine.' but even Sheldon knew that she was in fact not fine.
Penny asks that Sheldon doesn't accept random invitations from both women and men without checking with her first, she'll be able to tell if it's an actual friendly invitation or if they're asking him on a date. Sheldon can't agree fast enough to that.
Sheldon asks that Penny not try to make him jealous. Penny asks the same.
They agree on several things rather quickly. Penny has never been a fan of PDA and Sheldon is fine with that, but Penny does like holding hands and arms. She already does that with Sheldon as a friend so this is not a huge change.
Other things take longer to agree on. Penny wants to jump Sheldon's bones but she knows he needs to take it slow. Penny balks at his timetable of a year for sex (or coitus as he calls it) and puts her foot down. They will go at their own pace but Penny is a physical person and it's part of what she needs to feel loved. Sheldon eventually agrees to go by feel.
They kiss, and it takes Penny back to 9th grade. Chaste but somehow thrilling.
Penny calls Missy and there's way too much squeeing from the both of them. Penny can hear Missy yell out once she calms down enough "Momma, it finally happened!" Penny can hear a distant 'Praise the Lord!'.
The call to Meemaw is somehow stranger.
"Oh Girlie! You made an old woman's year. Now you listen to me. My Moonpie is a wonderful man, but he's a man nonetheless. He's going to mess up, he will say something he shouldn't have and most of all, he will forget to tell you he loves you way too often. I like you Girlie, I know you'll keep the boy in line." Meemaw's teasing voice turns serious, "But if you break his heart, I'll run you down and shoot you like a rabid raccoon. Get me?"
Penny can only stammer "I get you Meemaw."
Meemaw's voice is warm again and full of teasing "Good! Now, I'll be expecting the both of you for Christmas this year as well. Shelly already knows so I'm just telling you."
Who knew that Meemaw could be scary like that.
"Hey Moonpie, why did you never wore your Superhero tees while you were in Nebraska…or Texas for that matter?"
"Ah, for Nebraska, I was going in my role as a visiting professor. My mother said the Superhero Tees would give the 'wrong impression'. And Texas is too hot for layers, I prefer a simple shirt to avoid sweating."
"I see, well I like your layers, but I wish you used jeans more."
"Why?"
"I like looking at your butt in them."
And on their next date Sheldon wore a pair of jeans that Missy had gifted him last Christmas. His butt really did look great in them.
Sheldon starts reading a lot about dating online. It somehow leads to him patting Penny's butt in what she can only assume is meant to be a playful spank.
Penny is preparing herself a cup of yogurt with cereal when she feels Sheldon move behind her. She doesn't think anything of it, assumes he's going to grab a box of cereal. His hand makes gentle contact with her behind, not hard enough to be a proper spank but solid enough that it makes a small sound.
Penny is surprised and delighted but she's also shocked, because this is Sheldon. And this is huge, like she knew he had a thing about butts but she was preparing herself to have to wait months before Sheldon was able to be the one to make a move.
Turning reveals a thoroughly embarrassed Sheldon, there's a flush from his neck to his hairline and it's really cute. His face is unsure but he's not twitching and he's trying to not look at the bundle of papers in his other hand.
"Hey there Moonpie" Penny goes back to preparing her cup of yogurt, as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.
"Hello Penny." Sheldon sounds nervous.
"More dating guides?"
"Yes. This one says that physical contact is a good way to increase affection. Playful touches of an intimate but not sexual manner are a good way to demonstrate interest in your partner."
Penny hums like this all new information to her. "No way. Maybe you should do it again. A little bit harder tho."
"I…what?"
"You heard me."
Sheldon doesn't respond but Penny will let him make this decision all on his own. Penny smiles at her cup of yogurt at the almost proper spank she gets. Sheldon is a quick learner.
Penny is not thrilled to learn that Sheldon is apparently a chick magnet, she asks about the grad student and Sheldon very proudly says 'The other girls are not letting her get closer.' Penny has to close her eyes for a moment before asking "What other girls?"
She learns that apparently everyone knows that Sheldon always takes his lunch at the same time every day, so it makes it easy for people to find him. There's a group of women that sit near Sheldon but not with him and apparently they veto who can sit with him. Sheldon doesn't mind because he likes to eat his lunch alone for the most part.
It doesn't sit well with Penny but apparently it's actually keeping girls away from Sheldon so she doesn't say anything else. Penny only reminds Sheldon that he must answer to any invitation with 'I need to check with my girlfriend first.'
Sheldon kisses her goodbye before he leaves for work, she's still in bed and it's only a peck but it makes Penny smile. It's been only a week of them dating but it's been great so far.
The kisses and touches are chaste but Sheldon is a fan of patting her butt and Penny has started to reciprocate, at first he jumped in fright but he has acclimated since and if her hand lingers for a moment too long Sheldon doesn't mention it.
Penny doesn't mention it to Sheldon, but she's going to try and transfer to UCLA. She's been having so much fun with him, she loves Pasadena and Penny is not willing to give up on her dream.
Nebraska is home, but Sheldon is also home. And Penny is aware that despite what Meemaw believes, her parents have already given up on her. Her dad gave up on her the day she needed to wear a bra and her mom gave up on her almost right away. If she stays in Nebraska Penny is certain that she'll never leave, she'll graduate and go back to live in the farm and then start popping out babies.
Babies are another subject that's been on her mind. After seeing her parent's relationship she had promised herself that she would never have them. Of course she had that pregnancy scare at sixteen which prompted her to start taking the pill religiously, because Penny didn't want babies.
Sheldon doesn't make her change her mind, she hasn't even talked about this with him. Still too soon. But down the line, in 10 years, the idea of a little boy or girl doesn't sound so bad.
Penny is in trouble, and she kinda doesn't care as long as Sheldon is by her side.
Saying goodbye to Sheldon at the airport is hell. Especially because the last week they had together Sheldon was the one pushing for more physical contact, they even started French kissing, which yeah, it freaked him out a little at first but soon he became a very willing participant.
Penny doesn't want to let go of him. This past month and a half came to an end way too soon.
"Penny. I know this is early, but would you like to spend Christmas with my family again?"
Penny's voice is muffled against Sheldon's chest. "I thought you didn't like to go back home for Christmas."
"Yes, well. Recent events have shifted my perception."
Penny laughs because this is just like Sheldon, but Penny is now an expert in Sheldon-speak and knows what it means 'I want to spend more time with you.'
"I would love it, Sheldon."
"Oh good!"
Her flight is called over the PA and she feels Sheldon tense up. He might not show it but he's as reluctant as she is to separate. Penny is thinking about whether to kiss Sheldon or not. They kissed back in the apartment because Sheldon didn't want to do it in public, but she needs to kiss him one more time.
Sheldon kisses her.
It's desperate, he's holding onto her like she's about to disappear and Penny takes a moment to wise up but she's holding him just as desperately and kissing him back.
She's not sure how much time passes but by the time her flight is called again she's dizzy and she's also pretty sure that her lips are bruised, but she doesn't care.
Penny doesn't start crying until her plane is in the air. This feels too much like a permanent goodbye and she hates it.