Penny was having a rough time trying to reconcile the Sheldon in front of her with the Sheldon she knew. He was always arrogant, yes, but to her it was never more than a front and overall he was kind of sweet.
But the guy lecturing a room full of people was an asshole. No other way around it.
Penny knew that this lecture wasn't aimed at her, but seeing Tamika's confused and awed expression meant that she wasn't getting it either. And Penny was getting pissed. She knew that Sheldon hadn't lied to her, he had never told her that he was a Freshman or something like that, it was her bad habit of assuming things.
If Penny was honest, she was trying to find a reason to be pissed at Sheldon. But she was coming up empty…present lecture not counting of course. Who knew that Sheldon could speak with so much derision and smugness.
"Hey. Are you getting any of this?" Penny whispered to Tamika.
"Like 10% Maybe, at best." Her friend sounded frustrated and Penny didn't like that.
Penny pursed her lips and tried to think how this was the same Sheldon that had been so patient with her, could it be possible for someone to change so muc-
A hitch on Sheldon's breath and a small widening of his eyes as he noticed Penny sitting in the back. But what got Penny's attention was that his tone of voice lost the smugness. He now just sounded like the Sheldon she knew.
Huh.
Scribbling quickly on the back of her notebook she made sure her chicken scratch was legible before pointing at Sheldon, she was sure he would be able to make out the words without problem 'I'm not getting it Sheldon.'
She wasn't sure if it worked or not but seeing Tamika start taking notes like her life depended on it made Penny think that it might have worked.
"How much are you getting now?"
"Like 70%, he made it easier to understand."
Penny smiled and blew a kiss at Sheldon. He didn't react, but she knew he normally didn't have such rosy cheeks.
The lecture was supposed to be 1 hour long, Sheldon went on for 2. Penny's ass was starting to hurt and she was hoping that Sheldon would wrap it up. But it took the Dean to finally step in and interrupt Sheldon for the dang lecture to be wrapped up.
Penny wanted to go and talk to Sheldon but everyone and their mother had the same idea and a line was starting to form to meet Sheldon. Like he was a long lost member of NSYNC. Penny simply waved at him goodbye and went about her day, still thinking about this discovery of hers.
She wasn't worried about not seeing Sheldon, he had mentioned going later to the Factory for his dinner, during Penny's shift. They would get the chance to talk later. But for now, she had a best friend to deal with while they walked back to their dorm.
"Dr. Sheldon Cooper is your Sheldon?"
"Not mine as in mine. But yeah, he's my friend."
"Wow, how can you deal with such an asshole?"
"Hey! He's not an asshole. I mean, yeah, I wasn't a fan of his tone at the start of the lecture but he adjusted pretty quickly right?" Penny was fiercely defensive of her friends and yeah, Sheldon was her friend. He might have been an arrogant ass, but he was her arrogant ass friend.
Sheldon just got too much into his own head.
"Uh huh, right. Whatever you say."
"He is pretty nice once you get to know him. He likes Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, he knows how to shoot, he really loves his grandma and he is a little particular about food but nothing out of this world."
"..."
"Don't look at me like that."
"I'm not looking at you in any way." Tamika lied.
"Well, don't. Sheldon is nice but it's not like that."
"..."
"I mean, of course he is cute and tall. And he's really passionate about stuff and he gets this intense look in his eyes that makes them look even more blue. But it's not like that."
"..."
"I mean, we barely know each other. So it would be crazy right?"
"..."
"And you know what? He's an ass man."
"..."
"Oh shut up."
Penny kept thinking about Sheldon for the rest of the day. Even as her shift at the Factory started, she just couldn't focus on anything else, and yet for all of that thinking the same question kept popping up over and over.
Did this change things?
And she didn't have an answer. Sheldon hadn't lied to her, it was literally bad luck that she didn't find out until now. The Kurt thing now made more sense, and Sheldon hadn't been the one to push for his expulsion, he'd spent the entire day with her and he never brought it up again.
No wonder he was so good at Math…shaking her head to clear it, Penny decided that she needed answers to a couple of questions and they could take it from there.
As if reading her mind, Sheldon walked through the doors of the restaurant and made a beeline towards her.
"Evening' Sheldon."
"Good Evening Penny."
Penny sat Sheldon at the table containing her school stuff. It was in the back and they could talk without anyone getting in their way, Tuesdays were slow so she could take her time. Sheldon once again ordered his burger and lemonade.
Sheldon ate and Penny worked her tables. She had a good idea on what to ask him and weirdly enough she thought that she had the answers already, but assuming things had burned her before, so this time she would not assume anything and just be direct with Sheldon. He thrived with direct questions anyway.
"Hey Sheldon, mind I ask you a question?"
"I assume that you are referring to me answering the question you ask and not the fact that you are asking me a question?"
"Err, yes."
"Amazing, I'm on fire this month. Yes you may ask me a question that I will answer."
Penny had to laugh at how proud of himself he looked, this was the Sheldon she knew.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were a visiting…lecturer?" Penny wasn't sure if to call him a professor or not.
"Oh. You never asked. Was it an oversight on my part?" His puppy head tilt was back.
"No, I just assumed that you were another freshman like me."
Sheldon ponders her question seriously "Ah, I see. Thinking back on our interactions I can see how this misunderstanding occurred." He ran his hand nervously on his pants and his face was suddenly cautious. "Is this an impediment for us to continue being friends?" His voice was calm but Penny didn't miss how his hand was trying to wear out a line on his pants.
"Oh no, nononononono Sweetie." Penny reached a hand across the table to stop Sheldon's hand from hurting his leg. "We're still friends."
Sheldon sighed in relief and even he looked surprised by it. Her friend didn't want to lose her and it warmed Penny's heart.
"Good. The idea of no longer interacting with you is strangely distressing."
"Aw, you would miss me?"
"I believe I just said that." Okay, Sheldon was still a little bit of an ass but she could live with that.
"Sometimes you use too many words, Sheldon."
"Penny, I have not mentioned this before but proper grammar-" And off he went, Penny didn't really pay attention to his lecture, but at the way his throat moved and how his eyes shined.
Penny kept holding Sheldon's hand until he asked for his slice of Pie.
"Can we still meet on the pool bleachers, Penny?" Sheldon was polishing the last of his pie but he refused to look Penny in the eye. 'So cute.'
"Of course Sweetie." Sheldon smiled at her "Even if I know you only go there to ogle the girls' butts." Sheldon's smile turned into a glare. "I'm joking! I'm joking!" She raised her hands.
Penny was fully aware that Sheldon was only going to be here for 3 months so she'd make the most of it.
Penny found that being friends with Sheldon was both cool and exasperating. She loved the boy to pieces but he could be really particular about stuff that didn't matter.
Penny had wanted to study for a test and decided to switch her dinner shift for the breakfast one, she forgot to tell Sheldon and that night she had an angry texan boy knocking on her dorm door. Apparently he would only eat at the Factory if Penny was the one serving him. Which was cute but also a little too much.
And this same Wackadoodle also managed to be super sweet without meaning to. She confided about her fears of not being good enough to become an actress and Sheldon simply said "Penny. Your presence is magnetic and alluring. I'm starting to question your cognitive abilities if you are unable to see that and how invaluable it is for someone trying to become an actress."
Not exactly the rousing speech at the end of a Romantic movie but she knew Sheldon meant well. And the one thing she learned during the last 2 months was that Sheldon couldn't lie, like at all. If he tried to lie his face would become a twitching mess and he would end up blurting out the truth a moment later.
"Sheldon, pop quiz! Do I have a nice ass?"
"..." Sheldon's face twitched like a machine about to pop. "Yes." He said it through gritted teeth and his face cleared of twitching.
"Aw thanks."
"Penny. I fail to see the amusement in my reactions to that question. Today marks the eleventh time you have asked me this."
"Sheldon, sometimes a girl needs to feel appreciated without being harassed. I know you can't lie and it's sweet."
"Oh…so you're obtaining reassurance from my answer?."
"I am."
"Fascinating."
And two days later it comes to bite her in the ass.
"Sheldon, pop quiz! Do I have a nice ass?"
"Yes Penny. One of the best I have personally seen."
Penny could feel her face erupt in flames at his sure and confident tone. Sheldon's face was clear of any twitching. She was confident in her body but to hear him say it like that made her feel like a 14 year old holding hands with her crush.
She had to bring her hands up to her face, she glared through her fingers at Sheldon. "Okay, you win Sheldon."
Sheldon just looked confused.
Damn Wackadoodle…she would still ask him from time to time tho.
They keep their promise to each other and go and watch 'The Two Towers'
Penny is blown away from the start, Gandalf could kick ass. She cried more times than she would like to admit, but Sheldon was not immune either. She didn't mention it to him, but she saw him wipe at his eyes after Gandalf's sacrifice.
She couldn't believe that they would have to wait an entire year for the last film.
"Hey Pen, not to be the bff that gets in your business but are you sure about this?" Tamika looked at Penny with some apprehension.
"What do you mean?" Penny didn't have to fake the confusion on her face, she didn't have a clue about what Tamika was talking about.
"...I don't know if you're this dense or if I'm the one overthinking this. But…are you sure you want to go on that date with Dean tonight?"
Penny stopped putting on makeup to turn and look at her roommate and best friend "Why?..." she dragged the word.
"Well, I'm all for girl power but…"
"But?"
"But you're dating Dr. Cooper right? And now you're going on a date with another boy. I just feel like I should say something before you go through with this."
Penny shook her head "Wait, what? Nonononononono, I'm not dating Sheldon! We're just friends."
"Penny." Tamika's face was unamused "I've been witness to you asking him about your ass and him complementing it. That's not something 'just friends' do."
Penny tried to talk but she could only open and close her mouth without any sounds coming out. Eventually, breathless, she said "No. No. No. Sheldon and I are just friends."
"Does Dr. Cooper know about your date tonight?"
"Yes. I told him because I had to switch shifts again and I don't want a repeat of last time. Especially if I get lucky and Dean comes back here at the end of the date." Penny wiggled her eyebrows at Tamika in the reflection of the mirror.
"And he's fine with it?"
"Yes!" Penny was getting tired of this 3rd degree "He's fine with it because we're just friends."
"Okay." Tamika said in a tone that expressed that no, it wasn't okay.
"Look, Sheldon doesn't have an interest in dating. Anyone. He said so himself when I asked."
"Okay." That same tone "I'll get out of your hair, I have a date with Jack."
Tamika grabbed her purse and left their room. Only to return a moment later "I just think you're making a mistake. That's it. I'm not saying anything else. Take care, have fun, bye bye." And the door closed gently behind her.
As she finished getting ready, Penny considered her friend's words, but still thought she was mistaken. Of course she'd thought about Sheldon in that way, but to start, he really wasn't her usual type. Sure he was tall, but he was wiry. Penny preferred men like Dean, he was a friend of Jack from the same course and from everything Jack had told her, he was a good guy.
'Pfffft me and Sheldon. Right.'
Sheldon himself had pretty much told her that he wasn't interested in dating. He was going to win a Nobel and he lacked the necessary emotions. Called himself a robot. Of course Penny had to smack him in the back of the head and tell him "Would a robot love his Meemaw?"
So, no. Nothing between Sheldon and her.
Even if he no longer flinched when she touched him. Or that on those cold mornings when they met by the pool and then walked to get donuts, Sheldon would allow her to grab his arm as she nuzzled into his side.
'Goddamn it.'
If only Sheldon would love her like that. But Penny couldn't think about this right now.
She had a date to get ready for.
Dean was a nice enough guy. He wasn't as smart or funny as Sheldon but really, who was?
That third month was a mess for Penny, she needed to keep her friendship with Sheldon while at the same time dating Dean. Thankfully Jack had pulled Dean aside and explained the tall geeky boy was actually a faculty member (temporary) and NOT dating Penny.
It was rough, but Penny didn't want to just ditch Sheldon. She had made a promise to herself that he would no longer be alone and she kept her promises. Also, one time she had to cancel an outing with Sheldon because Dean wanted to go watch a movie and while for everyone else Sheldon didn't show any emotions to those news, Penny could see it, the way he slouched a little, how his tone became a little more emotionless. Sheldon had been hurt. 'Never again.'
Penny had also asked Sheldon for help to set up an email so they could stay in contact even when he went back to California and he had happily agreed. She hadn't told him but she was starting to save money so she could go and visit him in California…eventually.
Sheldon didn't do well with surprises but she was confident he wouldn't mind, at least she hoped so.
Almost like that first time she met him, the day he was supposed to leave he had dinner at the Factory while she worked. Well, not exactly worked, she was on the floor but as soon as Sheldon arrived she stayed at this table talking to him.
"I'm going to miss you a lot Sheldon."
"I find myself oddly reluctant to return to Pasadena. The idea once brought me comfort but now it's a source of distress."
"So you're going to miss me as well, huh?"
"I believe I just said that."
Penny laughed, it was easy to do that instead of crying. She didn't want to cry, she could do that later in her bed.
"You have to promise me, you will email me at least once a week."
"I promise." Maybe it was her imagination but Sheldon looked quite sad as well. He was writing something in one of her notebooks. "Penny. I think you're my best friend."
Goddamn tears. Penny had to hug Sheldon after he said that, she squeezed him and buried her head in the crook of his shoulder. "You're my best friend Sheldon." She sobbed.
Sheldon left for California that night, and he emailed her as soon as he was back in his apartment.
Penny would forget about what Sheldon had written in her notebook until it was pointed out to her by a classmate: (x^2 + y^2 – 1)^3 = x^2 y^3
'Wackadoodle, always with the math.'
'Hello Penny,
Meemaw has requested that I ask if you would like to join us for Christmas dinner and festivities at 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 him, 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 on 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 the only possible 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 him. 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. A 40 minute drive later and 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 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 goes 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.
The rest of dinner is thankfully calm (the teasing from his Meemaw and Missy not counting) and as soon as her plate was clean Penny asked Sheldon to show her to her room.
"I can't believe you Sheldon. You had to say that in front of your entire family?" Penny was unpacking and Sheldon was helping her. 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, she 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 really 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 a bit 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 almost seven 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 that either of her parents would tell her '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 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 ya 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.
She was still giving him his gift, and maybe one day he could have good memories related to Christmas.
Christmas eve comes along and sure enough, the family is getting ready to go to church. Everyone but Sheldon and Penny that is.
"Now, we'll be back a little before 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 ya 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 to making this a positive experience. 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 bestest 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, lingering for a moment too long in his arms before going back to watching the movie.
Christmas morning comes, gifts are given and sure enough, Sheldon didn't get her anything. She knew this would 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.
Notes:
Go ahead and graph the formula that Sheldon left for Penny.