Penny is not the youngest child. She has a little sister that is now moving to Pasadena.
It's been 6 years since Penny moved out to Pasadena. True, it's not what she expected her life to be at 24, but overall she's been lucky. She got out of her relationship with Kurt, she's expanded her worldview thanks to her genius neighbors, she got a small role in a play, she was dating around and even had a little thing going with Leonard.
Which, okay. It wasn't exactly exciting and maybe she was a little unfair but it felt nice to be wanted by a nice guy…and you could never pry this out of her mouth under torture but Penny had to admit it fed her ego in an ugly way. But as time passed she found herself considering saying yes to the date invitation that seemed to always be present on Leonard's face.
She flirted with Sheldon a couple of times but the man was oblivious and Penny had her pride, she was not going to chase after a man, not after Kurt. Was it so bad to want to be chased? Yes, Sheldon had those pianist hands, and the baby blues, and the height, and the confidence, and that little shy smile that turned her to mush, and he would always try to find ways to get under her skin, and she could read his eyes to know exactly what he was thinking about…But, he needed to express his emotions better, he could be more than a little condescending, he needed to have his way every time, and he was not a flexible person. But dammit, he was her friend and she didn't want to mess it up. He would never go for someone like her, and it wasn't the not having a degree thing, unlike the others she knew Sheldon couldn't care less, she impressed him with her wit and not backing down from a confrontation and Penny was fully aware that the pecking order in the group was changed from 'just Sheldon' to 'Sheldon and Penny'. She chose as many activities as he did now and he would grumble but in the end would go for it.
And it was because of this man that she was sitting on her couch trying to find a way to break the news and keep him from freaking out or offending her little sister.
Penny was not the baby of the family. That honor went to Mindy who was 4 years younger than Penny and was moving to Pasadena in order to attend UCLA and get an English major, but in order to save money she had asked Penny to move in with her and Penny loved her little sister so she agreed without much thought.
Mindy was cute as a button, they shared the same dark blond hair and green eyes, but Mindy inherited more from their mother than Penny did. Mindy was already a couple of inches taller than Penny and worst of all, Mindy inherited their mom's boobs, which, fine, Penny was proud of her rack but when your little sister of 4 years needs bigger bras, you can't help but feel a little envious.
And not only that, Mindy was smart. That bitch. Penny loved her sister to pieces but while Penny struggled in school and eventually dropped out of college, Mindy was the complete opposite, she breezed through school, never struggled between keeping good grades or an active social life and worst of all, she was gracious and humble. Penny couldn't even hate her because her little sister was a cinnamon roll that needed to be protected.
And Penny took on that role seriously. When Mindy was a Senior in High School she got together with one of the neighborhood boys, Little Thomas. He was always so nice, he wasn't a football player or anywhere close to being a jock, he was a Mathelte for frak's sake, and everyone was super happy that they were together. So it came as a shock that Mindy broke up with him after 4 months. Penny heard it all from her mom over the phone but she didn't want to jump to conclusions yet, because she trusted in her little sister's judgment. And then Mindy called her that night, sobbing, Little Thomas wasn't so nice after all, he would try to control how Mindy dressed, who she could talk to, was pressuring her to have sex and overall being a creepo that thought he owned Mindy.
And so, Penny away from home did the only thing she could. She called Kurt's big brother Lance, explained the situation and asked him to visit Little Thomas on her behalf so the creep understood that he needed to keep his distance. Lance didn't like Kurt, but he liked Penny.
Little Thomas never bothered Mindy again.
And Penny was happy that she would get to live with her baby sister, but she also had a Texan eccentric that drove her crazy but could no longer picture not being in her life. She worried about these two meeting. Sheldon was, well, he was Sheldon. Mindy had a pure midwestern attitude, meaning that just like Penny she was a touchy person and was kind to a fault.
Maybe it'll go okay. Mindy had her own shitty car, and was going to start working at the The Factory because of the flexible shifts. 'Maybe Mindy and Sheldon could become best friends', she thought and immediately discarded the absurd thought.
Mindy was going to be okay. Sheldon would simply have to learn to deal with the change.
Wackadoodle. Penny refused to admit the wistful tone.
Said Wackadoodle surprises her by just acknowledging that her sister is moving in and nothing else. Okay, this was good. She expected a fight of some sorts but maybe she should start giving him more credit.
"Penny, did you wash your hands before touching my plate?."
And we're back to square one.
Penny had some very strong Deja vu vibes when Mindy pulled into the Los Robles parking lot. It was like watching a younger, happier, taller, curvier…Penny refused to finish the thought.
Penny really shouldn't have worried about if it was going to be awkward to meet with her sister after 5 years but they just fit together nicely. Unlike Maggie, the relationship with Mindy had always been good.
So helping her sister carry her things into her apartment Penny found herself actually looking forward to living with Mindy.
"I can't wait to meet Sheldon in person." Mindy said excitedly and Penny didn't have the heart to break it to her. She only got to hear the funny parts of their adventures.
"You will, and I'll ask if you're still eager after talking to him once." Penny rolled her eyes.
It's when they're moving the last box into 4B that Penny gets another wave of Deja vu, she can hear the guys coming up the stairs and as they arrive on the 4th landing she sees that Sheldon is complaining about his Arctic expedition being canceled and Leonard is just pretending to listen while nodding. Of course Sheldon is the first to notice them, so she attacks first.
"Hey guys, remember how I told you that my baby sister was coming to live with me, this is her. Sheldon, Leonard, this is Mindy. Mindy these are the guys."
She's about to tease Leonard about another tall girl when she catches the look of pure unadulterated lust that he's giving her sister. Mindy doesn't share Penny's fashion choices, she's just wearing some tight fitting jeans and cute top with a cardigan to finish the look, so she's not sure why he looked at her like that. But as sudden as it was, the look is gone and Leonard is doing his shifting feet dance and puppy dog eyes at Mindy and welcoming her to the building.
Penny's stomach churns.
Penny is disgusted at Leonard, because yes, Mindy was a beautiful young woman, but she was also Penny's sister, the woman he currently was trying to actively date. This brought back all kinds of memories that Penny had conveniently swept under the rug. Alicia, Priya, Missy.
Not wanting to think about this right now Penny turns to her sister and sees the guarded look on her face. She noticed the look too. Ever since Little Thomas, Mindy has been careful around men and Penny can already see it, Leonard was immediately moved to the 'Do not trust' category. And Penny is trying to defend him in her head but is coming up empty, because Penny might be willing to risk herself, but she'll never risk her sister.
'Goddammit Leonard' Because Penny knew, at that moment. Things had changed.
She needed to talk to Leonard. To set boundaries, she needs to have the same talk with Leonard that she has when a meathead approaches her at the gym, when a handsy bastard at the club thinks she's too drunk to notice, or when a customer from The Factory is waiting for her after her shift. She really doesn't want to do it but there's no other option, she can see that. As much of a horndog Leonard is, she knows that he can be better. But she's not doing this game anymore with him.
Sheldon moves to introduce himself after Leonard and Penny focus on that, because as much as she loves the Wackadoodle, he can be too intense when you meet him for the first time.
"Hello Mindy, I hope your trip here was safe and uneventful." He's not smiling, but he does that half-smirk and nods once.
"Hi Sheldon, it was, thank you!" And Mindy is smiling up at Sheldon.
Something cold and heavy settles in Penny's stomach at the familiarity of the greeting. But, she has to be wrong, they are just meeting for the first time, right?.
Her 'Huh…' is said out loud and Sheldon is oblivious about why she's confused. But Mindy isn't.
Mindy gives her a small smile and it's for a moment but there's some wickedness in that smile. The weight in Penny's stomach gets heavier and colder and she doesn't know why.
"Sheldon here, and I have been email buddies since your prank war. Who do you think gave him the idea of dressing your favorite Care Bear in your underwear and hang it from the telephone line?." And this time Mindy's smile is teasing and full of sisterly love, her eyes are shining in mirth knowing she got one over Penny, even if indirectly.
Penny feels her stomach unclench and clear of that weird feeling. Last time she was having 2 day old enchiladas, it did weird things to her tummy.
Sheldon nods. "A fantastic idea I admit, although it did lead to Penny calling my mother on me." A glare but without any heat behind it, is directed at Penny.
"Don't worry Sheldon, now I'm here and next time we'll face her together." Mindy's hand quickly taps Sheldon on the shoulder in commiseration. And while Sheldon flinches a little, he doesn't reprimand Mindy or give her a strike, he just nods at her words.
Penny feels that weight settle back into her stomach with a vengeance and if it was cold before, now it's freezing. She's not sure what's happening but she doesn't like it.
"Yeah, yeah, you wish. Let's finish unpacking Mindy. We'll meet you guys for dinner later alright?" Not waiting for a reply she pulls Mindy by the hand into 4B.
Something weird was going on here and Penny was going to get to the bottom of it. Even if it was the last thing she did.