The time is neigh faithful readers, this chapter is 'M' but tame. The next chapters will begin escalating in Shenniness.
I brought in more characters and that means some more spoilers from season 7. Also more Doctor Who spoilers.
Well, I'll stop yapping. I do not own BBT. I merely borrowed the characters and made them cooler.
In his office, Sheldon had one white board against the right wall, one against the left wall and one in the middle. He was at the center, hair mussed from all the times he'd run his hands through it. His eyes darted from board to board trying to decipher his own workings, but it was no use. It was as though his entire brain was focused on one thing and that one thing was driving him mad.
He rounded his desk and sat in his chair unceremoniously knocking a stack of paper onto the floor. It made him feel better, but annoyed at the same time.
What was wrong with him?
Everything he'd done this far in life had been premeditated and planned, but now he couldn't control his own libido. He put his head on the desk, its coolness easing away his headache slightly.
He had sent an email to Leonard's mother explaining his predicament. Her answer had included a well-researched paper on several monks who had devoted their entire lives to chastity, only to deviate immediately once leaving the church and being introduced to modern sexual culture. He wanted to dismiss it, but knew there had to be some truth to it. After all it was very plausible…
He just didn't want it to be.
A knock on his door made him lift his head from his desk. Raj walked in carrying a white carryout container.
"Hey, I didn't see you in the cafeteria," Raj pointed out setting down the white container. He eyed Sheldon concern playing over his features. "You okay?"
Sheldon hadn't seen either Raj or Howard since Leonard's departure and quite frankly didn't expect to. He had prepared himself to be forgotten once his roommate had gone. Sheldon reached for the container acknowledging his hunger for the first time.
"I'm as well as can be expected considering my roommate has left, I've had a relationship terminated and the university has denied my request to pursue other fields."
Raj pursed his lips and nodded taking a seat opposite Sheldon's desk, "I heard. Look, you can't let that get you down. I worked with you and at the time you were really close to something good. Maybe you just need to find something to get you back on track."
Sheldon looked at the man and felt like he was seeing him for the first time. How many times had he been crass and rude to him and now he was here trying to help.
"Thank you, Raj."
"No, problem, but I'm afraid I have more bad news. Stewart's shop? It burned down, dude."
Sheldon groaned and returned his head to his desk, great, now he would have to add that to his list of things going wrong.
"Look, I'm going there after work, you could tag along," he said but it sounded more like a question. "I'm going to see if Stewart will let me salvage some manga."
Sheldon considered this staring at his carpet and noting the various papers that littered the floor.
"No, that's alright. I have to continue pursuing the dead ends that are my research and then meet up with Penny." As soon as the last few words left his mouth he wanted to take them back, though he couldn't fathom why.
"Penny? How is she?" Raj looked genuinely worried.
"As perplexing as always," Sheldon muttered, again wishing he could take the words back. Why was he telling Raj any of this?
"I see," he said, but looked confused and then moved to leave
"Look, if you change your mind let me know, okay?" Raj added stopping in the doorway, turning back slightly "Oh, and don't forget to eat. The brain needs food just as much as the body."
Sheldon opened the container and began to take bites, but it was only scratching the surface of the ache in his stomach. Once he finished his mind was still a mess, he stared at his work unable to make sense of any of it.
Back on track, Raj's words echoed in his head. The brain needs food as much as the body.
There is more than one way to satisfy a hunger.
It clicked with all the force of a metric ton. He wouldn't give credit to the woman with her hippy incense and vague recommendations, but combined with the research he'd read earlier a hypothesis was being formulated.
Standing forcefully and walking to his white boards he cleared all three and began outlining his thoughts. He brought up the database of journals on his computer and cross-referenced several psychology papers and medical research results before his darkest fears were revealed and then made real. It would require experimentation and a lot of data before he could give it credit, but the hypothesis was sound.
Drawing from Maslow's hierarchy of needs, belonging and intimacy were something a person naturally desired. He hadn't most of his life because he'd found it pursuing his primary need of self-actualization. By ignoring the instinctual need for contact, he had merely began to seek it out subconsciously.
Sheldon played with the idea, his pulse racing as images of what his "experimentation" could lead to. He was entering uncharted territory. Furthermore, there was risk. He could solve his problem, but cause several others.
He began a pros and cons list on a second board and worked on that for a bit and though there were quite a few pros, one big con caused him to stop mid-sentence. He thought of the paper Amy Farrah Fowler had given him tucked away in a filing cabinet at home. Setting the marker in the tray he paused and took a step back.
Penny's tear streaked face as she sobbed in his office surfaced. The way she looked as she slept. Hadn't countless men considered what he was doing right now? Hadn't they done so for just as selfish of reasons? Sheldon felt sick with himself. This is what base urges led to. Pain.
With a determined look he took a cloth and erased his white boards. There were other ways he could get over this. He just had to think of them. A ringing from his desk drew his attention. He finished removing the last black mark of evidence and pushed the theory out of his head.
Sheldon looked at the caller id before checking the clock. 5:30pm Thursday.
"Hello, Penny," he answered.
Penny felt a stir as he answered and internally scolded herself. It was just Sheldon and just Doctor Who.
"Hi, Sheldon, I was just wondering if you wanted a ride home," she told him after he spoke her name. "I was in the neighborhood so I figured I'd call."
She felt more than heard the pause and wondered if he could detect her lie. She had actually spent all her time after class getting ready, changing outfits several times before getting in her car and driving over to Cal Tech.
"That sounds optimal. How soon before you arrive?"
Penny bit her lip considering another lie. "Actually I'm in the parking lot," She confessed cringing at her ridiculousness. She was being so immature. IT'S JUST SHELDON! She screamed at herself.
"Fantastic, I'll be right out," he said.
She was going to reference his choice of words but thought better of it. She just issued a quick "Kay," in response.
She pulled down her small mirror and began checking her appearance. She was wearing a dark blue shirt and cut off shorts. She had also traded her flats for some old converse she had in her closet. It was appropriate she'd thought, but then considered maybe the shorts were a little too short. Maybe too desperate.
She lectured herself again, this was not a date. Just two friends getting dinner and watching Doctor Who. So the anxiety and tapping of nails on the window frame was unnecessary. . .
Penny felt like hours had passed before Sheldon finally came out of the building and headed to her car. She did one last make up check in her rear view mirror before settling back and unlocking the door. Once he was inside she could smell his soap and it relaxed her.
"So, what do you want for dinner?" she asked pulling away from the parking lot.
"Something light," he said and she heard a slight bit of stress in his voice.
"Hard day?" she asked. She took in his appearance and noted his messy hair and the circles under his eyes.
He smirked and responded, "You have no idea."
"Well, what about pizza? We can start watching Doctor Who and let food come to us."
She was focused on the road, but could feel his eyes on her.
"That sounds good."
At a red light she finally turned to meet his stare. She couldn't decipher the look he was giving her, but it made her shiver.
"You're quiet today," she commented. "What were you working on?"
His eyes widened slightly and he looked out the window before replying, "Nothing, you probably wouldn't understand." But she knew that look. That was the 'hand in the cookie jar' look.
"Oh kaay," she said confused. "Try me anyway, you never know, I might get bits and pieces."
"It's really boring." His face twitched. He was lying!
Probe or not to probe she thought pulling in her space at the apartment.
Definitely probe.
As the car shut off and Sheldon reached for the handle she locked the door. He looked at her once before focusing on the dash with all his might.
"Penny, if we don't order now, we'll be forced to wait before eating and will have less time to catch up on episodes."
Penny tried to think of a good rebuttal, but she had nothing. Instead she reached out and put her hand under his chin, turning his head to look at her. She was getting used to him not shying from her touch. A little too comfortable with it as well.
His eyes focused on hers and she felt anxious looking into them so she dropped her hand into her lap and looked at his shirt instead. It was his melting rubix cube shirt. She liked it.
She asked again, "What did you work on today?"
He cleared his throat and said, "I was studying a few older works from professionals that worked with a few of Maslow's theories. Nothing really exciting."
"See," she said poking him in the chest. "Was that so hard?"
"No, but can we please get on with our evening?" He didn't wait for a response, just opened the car door and got out.
Penny wasn't completely satisfied with the answer, but she'd let it slide for now.
They made their way inside, Penny trying to fill the silence. "So I got halfway through the season yesterday and you were right David Tennant is perfect as the Doctor."
"Of course he is, I am never wrong," he said at which Penny rolled her eyes.
"Well, you may not have been wrong about this, but you have to be wrong sometimes. You're just really bad at admitting defeat."
"I suppose that's true. Let me amend my previous statement; 'I never admit defeat.'"
That statement sent a great deal of thoughts through Penny's mind first of which was the way his lips felt against hers. "Me either, honey," she said aloud.
He turned his head slightly as they reached the landing, then looked away quickly focusing on the lock. Penny thought she saw a hint of understanding there, but Sheldon wasn't the type to get innuendo.
Once inside, Sheldon deposited his keys in the bowl and took off his windbreaker. Penny once again found herself admiring the contrast of a black shirt against his fair skin. Maybe it was just the dry spell talking again, but she was noticing all the little things about him that she had ignored before. For one, his height. Tall enough that she could wear heels and not feel like a she-hulk. Two he was lean and if the other day was enough to prove it, he wasn't as scrawny as he first appeared.
Trying to get comfortable she sat on the middle cushion of the couch. Pulling out her phone to keep her hands busy she tried to think of some kind of small talk, but couldn't come up with anything. He loathed small talk. Penny criticized herself, of course she had nothing interesting to say to her genius neighbor, which was just one more thing to add to the list of "reasons why you can't jump Dr. Spock's bones."
"What episode did you leave off on?" Sheldon's voice broke through her melancholy thoughts.
"Oh, 'the Satan Pit'," Penny answered excitedly. This was one thing they had in common, she was slowly starting to love Doctor Who.
"Oh good, the season only gets better from there. You still have so much to get caught up on before the new season starts in August." His excitement was tangible. "I'll order the pizza online then we'll get started."
"Awesome, get whatever you like I trust your pizza judgment."
"As you should, I have the art of pizza ordering down to an art," he affirmed opening the online menu.
Penny suppressed a laugh as she looked down at her phone. Wanting something to do she opened up her browser. Almost subconsciously she opened Google. She often did this around the boys when she wanted to at least vaguely understand what they were all saying. She thought back to what Sheldon had mentioned in the care. Typing in 'Maslow's theory' yielded some scholarly journals at the top. Knowing she'd never understand those she quickly selected the Wikipedia link she found.
It seemed to be about psychology not physics, but she read it anyway finding a picture of what looked like a food pyramid. Two words caught her eye: sexual intimacy. Thinking back to the last couple of days and Sheldon's reaction in the car she knew she had found why he was so bothered by her questions. Intrigued, she read more.
Physiological needs are the physical requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body cannot function properly and will ultimately fail. Physiological needs are thought to be the most important; they should be met first.
Air, water, and food are metabolic requirements for survival in all animals, including humans. Clothing and shelter provide necessary protection from the elements. While maintaining an adequate birth rate shapes the intensity of the human sexual instinct, sexual competition may also shape said instinct.
Penny's mind was reeling as she thought about what that meant. Her beautiful mind genius neighbor had a deal and he was trying to rationalize it using science.
"All done," Sheldon said drawing her attention. She watched as Sheldon clicked a few times then came to sit down. He took his usual spot and his proximity made her nervous. He brought up Doctor Who and the distraction was welcome, but her mind wandered.
Obviously, Penny wasn't the only one being affected by their lapse in boundaries the last week. From what she could tell he was trying to attribute it to basic needs. She could definitely preach to that. Her own libido was driving her nuts, especially now that she knew she wasn't alone.
It had been a long time since Doctor Who had been this exciting. Sheldon had seen these episodes plenty of times as reruns, but Penny's emotional reactions made it feel new for him. She was properly engrossed when the characters were endangered, laughed at the subtle jokes and made inferences. When the pizza came they paused only long enough to pay, then Sheldon served them as she frantically hit play again.
Then at the pivotal moment when Rose is trapped in the other dimension where the Doctor couldn't follow she grew quiet. He turned to gage her reaction and was startled to find her perched at the edge of the couch silent tears streaming down her face. She turned to face him and he was completely caught off guard.
"He saves her right?" She demanded.
Sheldon shook his head.
"Why not?!"
"Watch. He explains it."
"I love you," Rose Tyler said onscreen.
The Doctor starts "Rose Tyler –"but never finishes." It cuts away to David Tennant tears matching Penny's and then Donna Noble appearing in the Tardis. At this point Penny grabbed the controller and furiously hit pause.
"What the hell was that?! Why couldn't he save her?! He didn't even tell her he loved her!" Penny was on her knees facing him gesturing at the paused screen. Her eyes were wild and red rimmed. Sheldon was at a loss.
"He couldn't there was no way the TARDIS could have made it. He managed to say goodbye!" Sheldon tried to argue.
Penny leaned forward placing her hands on his knees and moving closer.
"It's not enough! All the other stupid things that were possible, but he couldn't say three stupid words! He loved her! It was obvious. Tell me they find a way!"
He was terrified and confused at how a fictional television show could have such an insane reaction. He put his hands on her shoulders, sitting up as he pushed her back onto her knees. She calmed a little, but he held her there just in case.
"Penny, you are clearly projecting your emotions onto fictional characters in a television show. It is probably best if we stop watching."
"No, its fine, I'm sorry," Penny wiped her eyes quickly getting off her knees and sitting properly. "I just got wrapped up in the show, its okay."
"Are you sure?" He search her green eyes for a hint of more tears. "Do I need to prepare a hot beverage?"
As he kept his gaze on her searching for proof of more insanity her look shifted. It was a look that was becoming more familiar.
"Sheldon, why are you being so nice to me?"
The question was ungrounded and perplexed him. He had merely provided dinner and then put on TV. After her reaction to the last episode, he hardly expected her to be a pleased with their current situation.
"I'm unsure what you mean. I merely provided basic nourishment and offered a beverage when the show upset you."
"Sheldon… You're holding me."
Sheldon found that he had shifted one arm around Penny's shoulders. He removed said idle arm apologizing and standing up. Once again he had somehow given in to subconscious urges as though it were becoming routine. He moved into the kitchen and pulled out the kettle, filling it with water.
"I'm not upset, Sheldon." He heard Penny say and noted she had followed him. "I was just noticing that you've been really different lately."
"Yes, well my entire existence is being turned upside down as I've told my mother, Koothrappali and as you well know. Changes in REM cycle, behavior and schedule are only half of my struggle. I'm also behind at work."
Sheldon set the kettle on the stove and turned back wishing he hadn't said any of these things. After Penny's outburst he knew she was just as affected as he was.
"Sweetie, I think you need a break, why don't you come sit on the couch for a second, I think I know how to help." He watched as she took a quick second to wash her hands at the sink.
"This isn't going to be more hippy dippy voodoo is it, because I've had quite enough," Sheldon said, but obeyed sitting at his spot once again.
"No," she laughed softly and just stared at him for a second. "Now, this is going to be way, way, way out of your comfort zone, but it just might fix you. Now close your eyes."
Penny wasn't sure how to approach this, but she knew he'd enjoy it if he just gave in.
Sheldon raised a brow at her request, "Why?"
"Because I'm trying to help. Now, close your damn eyes."
Sheldon made an impatient sigh, then miraculously obeyed. She stood in front of him, stretching her hands and neck then putting her hands on his shoulders, finding the tension she knew would be there.
"A massage is not going to alleviate the amount of –"
"Shhhhhhh-ut up." She said popping the p at the end. She continued working her fingertips against the muscle moving lower, but she was at an odd angle. Making a rash decision, she straddled him placing her knees on either side of his.
Expectedly, his eyes shot open and his hands flew to her hips. "Penny?!"
"Eyes closed, this is just a part of the experiment. Hush."
He looked ready to protest, but at that moment she found the knot she had been looking for. Using slight pressure she coaxed a moan out of his throat.
"See, not so bad, right?"
"That is incredible," he responded and it caused a slight reaction in her. She felt completely in control.
Penny continued using her fingertips and palms to relax him moving her hands over the ridges of his shoulder. She then turned her attention to his neck using her nails gently. She told herself that this was all a simple gesture, but she felt herself getting aroused. She moved her hands into his hair and put pressure on his temples with her thumbs. He made another sound of pleasure and it was then she realized his hands rested on her hips.
"Where did you learn to do this?" Sheldon murmured drawing her attention.
"I briefly considered becoming a misuse instead of a waitress and took a couple of massage therapy classes."
"What happened?"
"I saw the licensing fees and didn't finish. Besides, I'd much rather deal with customers who have their clothes on. Not everyone in California is easy on the eyes."
"Makes sense I suppose, but your skill is undoubtable."
Her hands returned to his shoulders her thumbs on his collar working softly, her hand making contact with flesh underneath the shirt. She adjusted her weight off the part of her legs that was beginning to fall asleep. Just a few more minutes, then she'd be done. She miscalculated and her knee slipped in between the cushion making the way she straddled Sheldon much more intimate.
Sheldon's eyes drifted open once again and she felt more than saw his reaction. Penny felt her own eyes widen as the nature of their current position shifted from slightly sensual to downright erotic. She saw Sheldon's adam's apple bob and every inch of her heated up slightly.
"That… wasn't supposed to happen," Penny said slowly.
"I deduced as much."
Penny knew she should get up. If she continued on the path she was on there was no going back. Another second passed as she hesitated, the voice of reason in her head slowly sounding further and further away. She closed her eyes feeling her heart begin to quicken. A realization began creeping in to replace logic. She wanted this.
Oh god, how she wanted it.
"It's considered an accident if I say 'opps', right?" Penny asked.
"Social convention suggests so, yes," Sheldon replied. His drawl was back. It sounded marvelous.
"Well then," she met his gaze deliberately. "Opps."
Penny slowly brushed her lips against Sheldon's causing the ache that had begun in his gut to tighten. He tried his best to refrain, to be logical, but his thoughts were slipping away. He responded to her kiss slowly at first, but when his palms brushed against the exposed softness of Penny's skin in her very short shorts all efforts went out the window. The kiss deepened and she made a sound that he knew meant she'd given up resisting as well.
He had never been in this position and never expected to be, though he remembered first meeting Penny and admiring the aesthetics of her body. Touching those appealing parts, however, was entirely different. His hands wandered underneath her thighs pulling her tighter against him. The heat radiating from her core rubbed against his member and he felt himself slip further away.
Penny had both hands on his shoulders her nails digging in ever so slightly. Her tongue darted against his lower lip and he bucked against her. A gasp escaped her and she moved her hips to match the movement, breaking the kiss. His gaze focused on a patch of skin peeking out beneath her dark colored t shirt. He moved his mouth there to feel just how soft it was. Another gasp, followed with his name on her lips it sounded exquisite. It then turned from pleasure to panic.
"Sheldon! The water's boiling!" Penny said catching his attention. He reluctantly turned to see that the kettle was definitely boiling and was starting to simmer over.
Penny was already removing herself from him and he made his way across the room to turn off the burner. The hiss stopped as it began to cool, his own elevated state following accordingly, but he was definitely not satisfied. Quite the opposite.
If Penny continued on this way he was not going to be able to resist his urges very much longer. He was definitely not an expert, but instinct would fill in the blanks.
Is it hot in here? I'm working on the next chapter. I'll post it ASAP.