The Venn Diagram Principle
Title: The Venn Diagram Principle
Spoilers: Maybe a little for "The Friendship Algorithm"
Rating: PG (Just in case)
Word Count: 5,144
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Summary: A photoshoot gets Penny's thoughts about Sheldon going in a new direction. (Inspired by the now infamous photoshoot, particularly this pic: http://pennyandsheldon.com/photos/Miscellaneous/Jim%20Parsons/008.jpg.php
It's been a long time, since I've completed a story, and several eons since I've written a fan fic. This fandom and that photo shoot have truly inspired me. Hope you like...
The Venn Diagram Principle
“I don’t understand,” Penny heard Raj say as she walked through the hallway to the guy’s apartment.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Howard’s voice said desperately. “Sheldon, there must be some mistake.”
“Uh no,” Sheldon said derisively. “Honestly, how can three people with degrees have so much trouble grasping a totally simple concept?”
Penny walked through the door without knocking as usual.
“Hey guys.”
Raj, who was apparently on the point of making a comment went, “Buuuuuuuu....” and shut his mouth with a snap.
“Hi to you too Raj,” said Penny, giving him a special grin.
For a wonder, Wolowitz only gave her a glance. No leery stares. No pervy comments. He was too busy staring at Sheldon in consternation. Then he held his head as if trying to keep it from exploding. “This is just crazy,” he muttered. Sheldon looked at him in annoyance.
“What’s going on?” said Penny surprised.
“My colleagues are finding it difficult to believe that I have been chosen for a dubious honour pertaining to my profession.”
“Wh -?”
“He’s been asked to be on the cover of Beautiful Minds magazine,” explained Leonard.
“What’s that?” asked Penny. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda. Turning she confronted their four incredulous stares and stifled a sigh. She was used to it.
“It’s only the magazine that features the young and the beautiful in the science fields,” said Howard, in a have-you-been-living-under-a-rock tone. “Last month they featured a blonde marine biologist who looked like a siren of the sea. Before that they had a gorgeous red head who’s been making waves with nanotechnology. Her legs are probably the same height as me.”
“It’s actually a very classy magazine,” said Leonard, deflecting further comments from Howard. “They’re working to make people in the fields of science, technology and mathematics more well known to the typical layman. They’re posed very artistically - hip and trendy.”
“But it has no real merit in the scientific community,” said Sheldon sternly. “It’s not really worth my time.”
“Then you’re not doing it?” said Penny.
Sheldon looked at her blandly. “I have to. Gablehauser gave me an ultimatum.” He spat out the last word distastefully. “He seems to be under the impression that it will bring more funding to the university.”
“Well he’s right,” said Leonard consolingly.
“He’s an idiot,” said Sheldon in a pained voice.
“And the magazine obviously thinks you’re worthy of the honour,” Leonard added.
“I suppose,” said Sheldon with a sigh. “At least, the photographer seems to have some merit. I had lunch with her today and she was quite coherent.”
Which, thought Penny, was high praise from Sheldon.
“She?” said Wolowitz with interest. “You didn’t say she was a woman. What’s she like?”
“Her name’s Jayden Howe,” Sheldon replied and he actually looked a little animated. “She’s done photography for lots of movies. Do you know she took shots of Christian Bale in his Dark Knight outfit?”
“Cool,” said Penny.
“Forget that,” said Wolowitz. He leaned forward confidentially. “What’s she like in the looks area?”
“Oh,” said Sheldon. He thought a moment. “She’s attractive. She’s actually a former model.”
“A model?” yelped Wolowitz.
“Yes. She puts me in mind of Storm from the X-men.” The others made very appreciative noises.
“Halle Berry Storm,” demanded Leonard, “or comic book Storm?” They all looked at Sheldon expectantly.
“Comic book Storm,” said Sheldon wrinkling his nose. “By the way, I admit that Halle Berry’s performance in the X-men movies was creditable but I do not think she is equal in looks or character to the vastly superior comic book version.”
Raj was so astonished, he actually managed to make a sound of fierce disagreement, but Penny had been thinking hard.
“Did you say her name was Jayden Howe?” she said loudly before they could launch into full nerd mode. Sheldon replied in the affirmative.
“I think I’ve heard of her,” said Penny. “I think I’ve seen her work in some magazines. She’s great. And she’s worked in movies too? Maybe I could show her my portfolio.”
“Your acting resume?” said Leonard doubtfully.
“No silly, my photography portfolio,” said Penny. “I used to take pictures a lot in high school. I always thought I could fall back on it if acting doesn’t work out, and of course modelling is always an option. Photography would be a great way to make some contacts in the industry.”
“I would be happy to assist you in any aspect of your modelling career,” said Wolowitz, giving her a look that added lecherous meaning to his remark.
“Well this is fortunate,” said Sheldon. “Leonard cannot take me to the shoot because he has work.” He gave Leonard a look which reflected his disparaging feelings about this. “Gablehauser has insisted I take time off to get this done. Perhaps you can take me. It’s next Monday.”
“Sure,” said Penny. “I can drop you off in the morning and come back and get you when my shift is over.”
She looked at Sheldon and found him giving her the smile he usually gave her when he was pleased with something she had done. She looked away quickly, though not quickly enough to stop the jolt she felt whenever she saw that smile. Sometimes she thought that it was particularly for her, but that was ridiculous.
“We need to be home in time for Thai food,” said Sheldon decisively and as if she didn’t know. “Monday night is Thai night.”
Sheldon looked quite anxious when she pulled into the parking lot of Jayden Howe’s studio. He’d been researching modelling all weekend, but did not particularly feel as if he were on firmer ground.
“All the articles I found on this were so juvenile and contradictory,” he complained.
“Well according to Tyra, it’s not an exact science,” Penny explained. “Did you watch the America’s Top Model DVDs like I told you?”
“I watched a few episodes,” he admitted with a shudder, “but I could only handle so much inane bickering and advice on how to look fierce (whatever that is) for so long.”
“Well I’m sure you’ll be fine,” said Penny. “Remember what I told you, they’re not going to expect you to be a professional. Just take whatever direction they give you, and you’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
He nodded his head nervously, for once accepting that she knew more about a topic than he did.
She glanced at him a couple of times during the rather silent ride to the studio. The idea of Dr. Sheldon Cooper: model still wasn’t really sinking in. It would have made more sense in her mind if it had been David Underhill her Christmas fling who had turned out to be married. But see how he turned out, she reminded herself with a grimace.
It wasn’t that she didn’t think Sheldon was cute. She had been surprised how much she felt aware of him on the very first day they met. Leonard had been the most forthcoming, but she had watched the shy, tall, awkward guy with the blue eyes and found herself flirting with him a little. It was almost involuntary, and she didn’t really understand it.
After that, she found out more about him. She found he could be arrogant and annoying and demanding and condescending. But he was always fascinating. He could also be sweet and surprising and supportive and just so endearing. She liked looking at him, though it was hard to pinpoint why. Maybe it was his changeable face or his strong, skilful hands. Penny had never been into a guy’s hands before, but Sheldon’s own sometimes distracted her. She knew it was definitely the blue eyes were an important factor, but still it was hard to come up with a definitive answer.
Maybe Jayden Howe noticed what it was, Penny mused.
As they walked into the front office, a tall woman, dressed in jeans, a plaid shirt with a waist coat, a pageboy hat and brown boots Penny would have killed for, was hurrying toward them, holding her hand out.
“Dr. Cooper,” she cried eagerly, smiling into his face. “Glad you could make it. I am so psyched about the shoot today. I’m already seeing the shots in my head. This is going to be great.”
Jayden Howe, Penny decided, recognizing her from her pictures. She didn’t know about Storm from the X-men, but she was thinking Gabrielle Union, but way more gorgeous. Jeez why did this girl give up modelling? Well, because she was amazingly talented, she reminded herself. Penny had been looking up Jayden’s pictures on the Internet and some of her own enthusiasm had waned. The girl was good, and Penny couldn’t deceive herself into thinking that her own work was any too exceptional.
“This is Penny,” Sheldon said indicating her. “My ride and my friend.”
“Hello Penny,” said Jayden, smiling.
“Hi,” said Penny quickly. “It’s really great to meet you. I’m familiar with your work, and it’s just phenomenal. You’ve won a lot of awards for someone so young.”
“Penny wanted to show you her portfolio,” explained Sheldon.
“Oh...well sure,” said Jayden. “I can give you a few minutes, but you’ll have to bear with me, today’s a busy day. I need to make this guy project that sexiness he tries to keep bottled in.” She patted Sheldon’s arm, and he glanced quickly at where her hand touched him, but didn’t move away as Penny half expected. “I need you to get into some clothes right away. I picked out the perfect outfit for you. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“Outfit?” said Sheldon in surprise. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”
Here goes, thought Penny bracing herself. Let’s see how she handles this.
“It’s perfect,” said Jayden without missing a beat. “Green Lantern right?”
“Yes,” said Sheldon looking pleased.
It’s printed right on the back of his shirt, thought Penny then wondered why she was being so defensive.
“My brother and I used to read Green Lantern all the time. Hal Jordan’s my favourite.”
“Really?” said Sheldon, clearly astonished and pleased. “I’m partial to him myself.”
“Then we can compare notes, but let’s get you to wardrobe. Green Lantern doesn’t quite fit the setting we’re going for though. Penny, will you be able to stay? You’re welcome to sit in.”
“Oh that would be great, but I can’t stay long. I have my shift at the Cheesecake factory....”
“Then you can stay until you have to go. I’ll be right back....”
Jayden led Sheldon away, touching her hand briefly to his back as they walked out of the room. Penny looked away and studied the photographs on the wall with studied intensity. She didn’t think Jayden was in any hurry to get back, but she actually turned up in the next few minutes.
“I’ve got some really good ideas for him,” she said without preamble. “He’s got a really good look you know? I can imagine all kinds of great ways to pose him. Too bad he’s a scientist.”
“He’s a very good scientist,” said Penny, wondering again why she felt so moved to contradict the other girl.
“And therefore would not be interested in professional modelling,” sighed Jayden. “Let’s see that portfolio.”
Penny figured that she wouldn’t have her mind on it, but Jayden looked carefully at some of her pictures and skimmed the rest. Praised some of them, and suggested Penny join her Facebook group. “It’s a great place to network with other amateur photographers.”
Penny thanked her, feeling bad for her negative thoughts, then it was time to go into the studio which was just like she imagined with white walls and cameras and assistants darting all over the place.
Jayden jumped in at once, giving orders and checking cameras and lighting and Penny found a seat in a corner and felt just a little lost.
Sheldon walked in shortly after and stood alone across the room from her, looking at the activity with the usual expression of bewilderment he used whenever he was observing new and confusing human behaviour.
Penny gripped her seat a little more tightly and gazed across at him mouth open. Then she was walking across the room toward him before she realized it.
“Sheldon? You look great.”
“Do I?” he said uncomfortably, and she reflected that his arrogance and aura of self assurance seemed to apply almost exclusively to his superior brain power. She couldn’t remember a single time when he had exuded any overconfidence about his looks. Not necessarily because he didn’t think about them, but perhaps because Dr. Sheldon Cooper just didn’t think about such things.
Now as he stood before her clad in jeans, a dark purple shirt and a leather jacket which framed his long lean body, she could see many of her friends taking to this Sheldon Cooper. Her Sheldon Cooper who had suddenly become a young, trendily dressed creature she was not familiar with. Jayden had really caught onto something.
“Ah just what I wanted,” said Jayden behind them.
“This is not the attire I’m used to,” said Sheldon uncertainly. “Are you sure that this outfit will not take away anything from my credibility in the scientific community?”
“I’m sure it won’t,” said Jayden, her eyes running over him while a satisfied grin lit her face. “It’s raising you in my estimation right now and you were already pretty high up there. Let’s get started. And don’t worry I’ll take good care of you.”
Penny had to find her seat again, and sitting watching she was forced to admit again that Jayden knew her stuff. More importantly, she knew how to handle Sheldon...how to smooth out his concerns....how to praise him enough to keep him willing to co-operate.... She was very precise in her instructions, telling him exactly what she wanted him to do.
Sheldon himself was in fine form, Penny realized with surprise. He was clearly not in full OCD crazy mode today, but he seemed to have given in to the idea of taking direction. He was of course his usual awkward self, but he tried to follow Jayden’s directions, and because they were simple, he seemed to be doing okay with it. If he were in his element, Penny doubted that he would be submissive. Lucky for Jayden Howe.
During a break in the shooting, Penny went up to him where Jayden was talking to him eagerly and said she had to go.
“We’ll be breaking for lunch soon,” Jayden said.
“Oh what are you doing for lunch?” said Penny.
“No worries about that,” laughed Jayden. “Dr. Cooper gave us some very precise instructions, and I venture to think that we can please even him.” Her eyes dancing at Sheldon, suggested that she thought otherwise and thought it was a hoot.
“Well okay,” said Sheldon, “but Penny be sure that you’re here at five PM precisely. Remember to plan ahead for rush hour traffic.”
“We could probably arrange for a driver for you -“ began Jayden.
“No,” said Penny firmly. She turned and looked deliberately at Sheldon. “I’ll be here.”
She put Sheldon and little Miss Perfect Jayden firmly out of her mind and worked her shift with a vengeance, forcing big smiles at her patrons and darting around from table to table like some kind of waitress android on speed.
She was dog tired when she was done, and it was a long drive to the studio, but she made it in time. Ahead of time in fact. Sheldon would have no reason to throw a hissy fit.
The receptionist directed her to Jayden’s office as Dr. Cooper was just changing and would be with them momentarily. Jayden was there in a feng shui style office of bean bag chairs, tiny fountains and glorious muted colours. She sat at a tiny desk bent eagerly over a dark blue laptop.
“Come see this,” she called to Penny, the moment she entered. She was grinning gleefully. Penny looked and sat down slowly, remembering in time to keep her jaw from dropping. On the screen, she saw photos of Sheldon with lighting that enhanced his blue eyes. Sheldon sitting bonelessly in chairs or staring off into space contemplating life’s mysteries.
“These are my favourites,” said the photographer clicking to a new shot and Penny had to agree. She hadn’t been there for this part of the shoot. Jayden had taken him down to the basement. The image showed Sheldon lying on the ground (how the heck had she convinced him to do that), the camera taking him upside down, and he was looking up at her, right at Penny, his eyes intense, his body languid. In one picture, his shirt rode up just a little to offer a teasing look at one hip. He was ethereal. He was fascinating. Heck, he was just plain gorgeous.
“Holy crap on a cracker,” murmured Penny.
“Oh yeah,” Jayden agreed. “He’s got such an intensity. I asked him to think about something he felt really passionate about. He said something about string theory I cannot understand. I think I was really able to capture it. He’s truly brilliant. He has an IQ of 187. Did you know?”
“He may have mentioned something like that,” Penny replied, twisting her mouth ironically.
“Hmmmm. Is he seeing anyone?”
Penny choked. “Excuse me?”
“Is he dating? Anyone special in his life?”
Penny gazed at the woman dumbly. This smart, classy, talented hottie was interested in Sheldon himself. She hadn’t just been flirting with him to make him easier to work with. She actually wanted to go out with him.
Say yes, dim bulb a voice cried in her head. Tell her he has a girl friend; tell her he has a fiancée; tell her he’s gay. Anything! Penny’s head spun. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t be jealous of this woman. It made no sense. It did not compute. She should be happy for Sheldon and be supportive of him as she was for Leonard. Yet she wavered, and finally only managed to say in a small voice, “I....I don’t think there’s anybody, but-“
“Oh good you’re here,” said Sheldon walking in in his regular clothes. “We need to go so we can be in time to get some Thai food and get home before seven.”
On the way to the car, Jayden stopped Sheldon and Penny determinedly kept walking, deliberately not noticing, deliberately not looking back. Once behind the wheel, she stared at Jayden standing just a little too close to Sheldon who Penny thought looked as if he were intensely focused on what she was saying.
Penny’s fingers gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles whitening, then gasped a little as Jayden stood just a little taller (gosh she was practically an Amazon) and kissed Sheldon on the cheek. Penny slumped in her seat. Apparently she wasn’t the only one Sheldon knew who was a big ‘ol five.
He didn’t say anything much on the drive back. Neither did Penny. She needed several minutes to gather her courage.
Finally, she said, “Sooooooo Jayden Howe. She’s pretty cool huh?”
“I suppose,” said Sheldon and didn’t elaborate. Alarm bells were going off all through Penny’s head. Sheldon Cooper keeping his mouth shut was not a good sign.
“You too seemed to be really hitting it off,” she said looking anxiously at him.
“I suppose,” Sheldon said again, staring at his hands, then all at once, he added, “She just asked me out.”
The words didn’t quite make it out of Penny’s mouth the first try, then finally she was able to say in a falsely bright voice, “Well I guess she liked you huh? Are you gonna do it?’
“It’s weird,” said Sheldon frowning a little. “I had no idea that she was attracted to me. I told her no.”
Penny’s heart rate slowed down considerably, and she felt a little more herself as she cried, “Why not? She was cute. She’s nice.” She was a slut, she added with wicked delight in her head.
“She has a boyfriend,” said Sheldon. “They’re supposedly ‘on a break’”. His long fingers curled in quotation marks. “But I have no intention of becoming a barrier in any way, shape or form between her and some steroid infused Neanderthal.”
“I guess that makes sense,” said Penny and couldn’t quite keep a mad grin from taking over her face. “I’m sorry about that,” she added. “I think it would be nice if you got a girl in your life.”
“I don’t think so,” said Sheldon with certainty. “Penny you will recall my concerns when I thought I would add Kripke to my circle of friends. Letting someone into my social group is not a factor to be taken lightly. It can upset the delicate balance of my daily existence.”
“But sometimes that’s not so bad,” said Penny, smiling faintly.
“Well not in this case,” said Sheldon huffily, looking out the window at the passing traffic.
So he had not been mooning over feelings for Jayden. “I thought you kinda liked her though,” Penny went on. Her relief was palpable and she didn’t feel any need to question it at this time. “You know she was your Storm of the X-men. That’s a pretty big compliment coming from you. You never compliment me,” she added in a low voice and wondered where that came from.
Sheldon looked at her in confusion. “But you are quite unlike any of the X-men Penny. I suppose,” he amended, “that you could be compared to Emma Frost, but her very designation makes her a flat out contradiction to your personality.”
“What now?” asked Penny, trying to wade through this explanation.
“Now in familiar territory, Sheldon settled happily into his favourite subject. “Emma Frost is a tall, blond, known for her dry wit and humour. She has telekinetic abilities, and her personality tends to be rather cold and selfish.”
“So I’m not like her?”
Sheldon bestowed an incredulous look upon her. “Penny, besides your blonde hair, you have little to no resemblance to this woman. You are far more personable and pleasant. Even the name ‘Frost’ suggests coldness and frigidity. You are more” he reflected for a moment “like sunshine. You’re warm. You’re caring. You could never be an Emma Frost.”
“Thanks,” said Penny softly. “Thank you Sheldon.” She had to keep both hands on the wheel. If she made a move toward him, he would have a fit about getting into an accident, and it really wasn’t very safe - in more ways than one. She wasn’t quite sure what she would do if she got her hands on him. She felt warmth glowing in her heart.
Sheldon was still talking on. “Frankly that is one of the reasons I kept you within my social circle when its members were in question. That and the fact that you are featured in two important sets of my life.”
“Sets? What kind of set?”
Sheldon looked at her thoughtfully. “Are you familiar with Venn Diagrams? I assume that you may have heard of them. I mean, you haven’t had a real university education but - “
“Of course, I’ve heard about Venn Diagrams,” said Penny sharply. She fell silent, struggling with herself. Sheldon watched her narrow eyed, and finally she burst out, “Remind me what they have to do with this conversation?”
Sheldon smirked. (He was so infuriating!) “A Venn Diagram,” he said, in teacher mode, “is a representation which shows all hypothetically possible logical relations between a finite collection of sets, or groups of things if you will.”
“And in earthling that means?”
He continued, frowning slightly at her for interrupting him. “They are usually represented with circles which represent each set or group. I might draw a circle which represents all my friends and another for all the people I know who like Kung Pow chicken. The circles overlap at one point. All of the people who fit into both sets are represented in the space where the circles join.”
Some dim memories from math class were swimming in Penny’s brain. “So all of the people who are your friends and who like Kung Pow chicken are in that intersection?”
“Very good Penny,” said Sheldon with a delighted smile. Penny’s heart skipped and she thumped the steering wheel with delight. “Score one for me,” she said, feeling silly at how pleased she was.
“Anyway,” Sheldon went on. “If I had a circle representing my friends and another representing the women in my life who are important to me, you would be in that intersection. I mean I have friends: I have Leonard and Howard for example, but you’re also part of the set which includes my mother and my sisters. You’re the only one who fits both sets. You see?”
Penny’s breathing had quickened, and her eyes drifted from the road. “I see.” Sheldon was looking at her, his face vivid and animated as it always was when he was excited about a topic that interested him. The air in the car seemed suddenly highly charged, and Penny’s skin prickled. Sheldon’s face twitched, and he turned slowly, holding his body carefully.
“We’re here,” he said carefully as they came in sight of the restaurant.
Of course it took several minutes to make their order and for the increasingly annoyed workers at the restaurant to complete Sheldon’s meticulous order then to check it and make the changes he required, but Penny didn’t hear more than a word or two.
She spent most of the time in silence, hugging herself in a warm fog of delight. In his own roundabout way, Sheldon had said she was important to him, and nothing before had made it clearer to her. He was important to her too. Perhaps one of the most important people ever.
They were only a few minutes from home, and they called ahead to make sure someone would be downstairs to wait for them and help them get the food upstairs. Penny drove quickly, taking a shortcut, ignoring Sheldon’s little nervous sounds. To his credit, he said nothing until she pulled up in front of their apartment building.
Then she switched off the car and looked full at him. The light fell on him just right to spark and ignite his blue eyes, and she could see his pupils were dilated a little, his hands twitched a little with nervousness.
“Penny, are you okay?”
“Of course, I am sweetie. I’m just really happy is all.”
“Why?” he said helplessly.
“You admitted I was important to you. That’s a big thing. At least it feels that way to me. It means a lot, in here you know,” she said, pressing her hand to her chest.
“Well you are,” began Sheldon, but then Penny was reaching across to him, running her hand under his neck and his right cheek. (He had wonderful skin.) Then she was pressing her lips to his other cheek and leaning into him, breathing in his own clean Sheldon scent. He went very still, and she leaned back a little to look at him, a little afraid of his reaction.
His eyes were closed and he was taking deep controlling breaths. His skin was more flushed than she had ever seen it.
Penny smiled and leaned her forehead against his temple. “You could tell a girl a little more often you know,” she whispered. Sheldon opened his luminous eyes and after making a few failed attempts, managed to gasp, “I think that might be an acceptable stipulation.”
Penny leaned in to kiss him again, right on the corner of his mouth. She was willing to take it slowly for the moment. Sheldon breathed out and she felt the tremble of his breath on her cheek, and he began to turn, perhaps to make the kiss full frontal. Then,
“What’s up players!” yelled Howard, his head suddenly appearing in the driver’s window. Sheldon yelped and clasped at his heart. Penny gave a scream, turning her head toward Howard then away in half a second. She didn’t think she was quite ready to look someone in the face.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” said Howard laughing. He paused, “What? Was I interrupting something?” The spluttering laugh he gave right after showed how much he saw this as a possibility.
“No Wolowitz,” growled Sheldon. “We called ahead so you could help us, not scare us half to death.”
“Yeah,” said Penny still turned away from him. They both looked at her bent head. She added an explanation in a small voice, “I have something in my eye.”
“Want me to help you?” said Howard in his creepy seductive voice.
Sheldon made a scornful noise and got out of the car. “Honestly Wolowitz.”
“What!” said Howard, moving around the car to follow him.
Penny giggled. Her heart was still hammering, and not only because of her scare. She took a few deep breaths to tone herself down a bit. It would have to do. She wasn’t going to come down from this bubbly high anytime soon. She got out of the car.
Howard and Sheldon were arguing as they pulled the bags of food out of the backseat.
“Oh, so now you’re a model, you’re all Mr. Nerd Stud now,” complained Howard.
“If there were such an appellation,” said Sheldon, “it would be Doctor Nerd Stud to you, though in my estimation you’re not an expert as neither of those designations applies to you.”
Howard blustered and Penny reached past Sheldon to get the last bag from the car. As she stood up beside him, he reached down and across and took it from her. His arm brushed her body as he bent over and his fingers lingered on her hand for just a second too long. He was very warm. Penny gave a tiny squeak, but it happened so quickly Howard did not notice. He was too busy trying to formulate a good comeback, but all he could say was, “Oh really!”
“Have I ever complimented you on your mastery of articulation?” said Sheldon walking away. He had of course manoeuvred, so Howard was holding most of the bags. He could barely get his chin over the top of them as he carried his load in his arms.
Sheldon opened the door for them. Howard went in first, still complaining and Penny followed. Glancing up, she was in time to see the look from under heavy lids that Sheldon gave her as she passed him. She was sure he would not consider the expression to be either sexy or smouldering, but Penny thought it might be both. And she was the better judge.
Take that Jayden Howe, she thought smugly.
Sheldon passed her and walked up the stairs beside Wolowitz so they could bicker their way up to their floor.
Penny skipped up after them, light and airy as sunshine.
Spoilers: Maybe a little for "The Friendship Algorithm"
Rating: PG (Just in case)
Word Count: 5,144
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Summary: A photoshoot gets Penny's thoughts about Sheldon going in a new direction. (Inspired by the now infamous photoshoot, particularly this pic: http://pennyandsheldon.com/photos/Miscellaneous/Jim%20Parsons/008.jpg.php
It's been a long time, since I've completed a story, and several eons since I've written a fan fic. This fandom and that photo shoot have truly inspired me. Hope you like...
The Venn Diagram Principle
“I don’t understand,” Penny heard Raj say as she walked through the hallway to the guy’s apartment.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Howard’s voice said desperately. “Sheldon, there must be some mistake.”
“Uh no,” Sheldon said derisively. “Honestly, how can three people with degrees have so much trouble grasping a totally simple concept?”
Penny walked through the door without knocking as usual.
“Hey guys.”
Raj, who was apparently on the point of making a comment went, “Buuuuuuuu....” and shut his mouth with a snap.
“Hi to you too Raj,” said Penny, giving him a special grin.
For a wonder, Wolowitz only gave her a glance. No leery stares. No pervy comments. He was too busy staring at Sheldon in consternation. Then he held his head as if trying to keep it from exploding. “This is just crazy,” he muttered. Sheldon looked at him in annoyance.
“What’s going on?” said Penny surprised.
“My colleagues are finding it difficult to believe that I have been chosen for a dubious honour pertaining to my profession.”
“Wh -?”
“He’s been asked to be on the cover of Beautiful Minds magazine,” explained Leonard.
“What’s that?” asked Penny. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda. Turning she confronted their four incredulous stares and stifled a sigh. She was used to it.
“It’s only the magazine that features the young and the beautiful in the science fields,” said Howard, in a have-you-been-living-under-a-rock tone. “Last month they featured a blonde marine biologist who looked like a siren of the sea. Before that they had a gorgeous red head who’s been making waves with nanotechnology. Her legs are probably the same height as me.”
“It’s actually a very classy magazine,” said Leonard, deflecting further comments from Howard. “They’re working to make people in the fields of science, technology and mathematics more well known to the typical layman. They’re posed very artistically - hip and trendy.”
“But it has no real merit in the scientific community,” said Sheldon sternly. “It’s not really worth my time.”
“Then you’re not doing it?” said Penny.
Sheldon looked at her blandly. “I have to. Gablehauser gave me an ultimatum.” He spat out the last word distastefully. “He seems to be under the impression that it will bring more funding to the university.”
“Well he’s right,” said Leonard consolingly.
“He’s an idiot,” said Sheldon in a pained voice.
“And the magazine obviously thinks you’re worthy of the honour,” Leonard added.
“I suppose,” said Sheldon with a sigh. “At least, the photographer seems to have some merit. I had lunch with her today and she was quite coherent.”
Which, thought Penny, was high praise from Sheldon.
“She?” said Wolowitz with interest. “You didn’t say she was a woman. What’s she like?”
“Her name’s Jayden Howe,” Sheldon replied and he actually looked a little animated. “She’s done photography for lots of movies. Do you know she took shots of Christian Bale in his Dark Knight outfit?”
“Cool,” said Penny.
“Forget that,” said Wolowitz. He leaned forward confidentially. “What’s she like in the looks area?”
“Oh,” said Sheldon. He thought a moment. “She’s attractive. She’s actually a former model.”
“A model?” yelped Wolowitz.
“Yes. She puts me in mind of Storm from the X-men.” The others made very appreciative noises.
“Halle Berry Storm,” demanded Leonard, “or comic book Storm?” They all looked at Sheldon expectantly.
“Comic book Storm,” said Sheldon wrinkling his nose. “By the way, I admit that Halle Berry’s performance in the X-men movies was creditable but I do not think she is equal in looks or character to the vastly superior comic book version.”
Raj was so astonished, he actually managed to make a sound of fierce disagreement, but Penny had been thinking hard.
“Did you say her name was Jayden Howe?” she said loudly before they could launch into full nerd mode. Sheldon replied in the affirmative.
“I think I’ve heard of her,” said Penny. “I think I’ve seen her work in some magazines. She’s great. And she’s worked in movies too? Maybe I could show her my portfolio.”
“Your acting resume?” said Leonard doubtfully.
“No silly, my photography portfolio,” said Penny. “I used to take pictures a lot in high school. I always thought I could fall back on it if acting doesn’t work out, and of course modelling is always an option. Photography would be a great way to make some contacts in the industry.”
“I would be happy to assist you in any aspect of your modelling career,” said Wolowitz, giving her a look that added lecherous meaning to his remark.
“Well this is fortunate,” said Sheldon. “Leonard cannot take me to the shoot because he has work.” He gave Leonard a look which reflected his disparaging feelings about this. “Gablehauser has insisted I take time off to get this done. Perhaps you can take me. It’s next Monday.”
“Sure,” said Penny. “I can drop you off in the morning and come back and get you when my shift is over.”
She looked at Sheldon and found him giving her the smile he usually gave her when he was pleased with something she had done. She looked away quickly, though not quickly enough to stop the jolt she felt whenever she saw that smile. Sometimes she thought that it was particularly for her, but that was ridiculous.
“We need to be home in time for Thai food,” said Sheldon decisively and as if she didn’t know. “Monday night is Thai night.”
Sheldon looked quite anxious when she pulled into the parking lot of Jayden Howe’s studio. He’d been researching modelling all weekend, but did not particularly feel as if he were on firmer ground.
“All the articles I found on this were so juvenile and contradictory,” he complained.
“Well according to Tyra, it’s not an exact science,” Penny explained. “Did you watch the America’s Top Model DVDs like I told you?”
“I watched a few episodes,” he admitted with a shudder, “but I could only handle so much inane bickering and advice on how to look fierce (whatever that is) for so long.”
“Well I’m sure you’ll be fine,” said Penny. “Remember what I told you, they’re not going to expect you to be a professional. Just take whatever direction they give you, and you’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
He nodded his head nervously, for once accepting that she knew more about a topic than he did.
She glanced at him a couple of times during the rather silent ride to the studio. The idea of Dr. Sheldon Cooper: model still wasn’t really sinking in. It would have made more sense in her mind if it had been David Underhill her Christmas fling who had turned out to be married. But see how he turned out, she reminded herself with a grimace.
It wasn’t that she didn’t think Sheldon was cute. She had been surprised how much she felt aware of him on the very first day they met. Leonard had been the most forthcoming, but she had watched the shy, tall, awkward guy with the blue eyes and found herself flirting with him a little. It was almost involuntary, and she didn’t really understand it.
After that, she found out more about him. She found he could be arrogant and annoying and demanding and condescending. But he was always fascinating. He could also be sweet and surprising and supportive and just so endearing. She liked looking at him, though it was hard to pinpoint why. Maybe it was his changeable face or his strong, skilful hands. Penny had never been into a guy’s hands before, but Sheldon’s own sometimes distracted her. She knew it was definitely the blue eyes were an important factor, but still it was hard to come up with a definitive answer.
Maybe Jayden Howe noticed what it was, Penny mused.
As they walked into the front office, a tall woman, dressed in jeans, a plaid shirt with a waist coat, a pageboy hat and brown boots Penny would have killed for, was hurrying toward them, holding her hand out.
“Dr. Cooper,” she cried eagerly, smiling into his face. “Glad you could make it. I am so psyched about the shoot today. I’m already seeing the shots in my head. This is going to be great.”
Jayden Howe, Penny decided, recognizing her from her pictures. She didn’t know about Storm from the X-men, but she was thinking Gabrielle Union, but way more gorgeous. Jeez why did this girl give up modelling? Well, because she was amazingly talented, she reminded herself. Penny had been looking up Jayden’s pictures on the Internet and some of her own enthusiasm had waned. The girl was good, and Penny couldn’t deceive herself into thinking that her own work was any too exceptional.
“This is Penny,” Sheldon said indicating her. “My ride and my friend.”
“Hello Penny,” said Jayden, smiling.
“Hi,” said Penny quickly. “It’s really great to meet you. I’m familiar with your work, and it’s just phenomenal. You’ve won a lot of awards for someone so young.”
“Penny wanted to show you her portfolio,” explained Sheldon.
“Oh...well sure,” said Jayden. “I can give you a few minutes, but you’ll have to bear with me, today’s a busy day. I need to make this guy project that sexiness he tries to keep bottled in.” She patted Sheldon’s arm, and he glanced quickly at where her hand touched him, but didn’t move away as Penny half expected. “I need you to get into some clothes right away. I picked out the perfect outfit for you. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“Outfit?” said Sheldon in surprise. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”
Here goes, thought Penny bracing herself. Let’s see how she handles this.
“It’s perfect,” said Jayden without missing a beat. “Green Lantern right?”
“Yes,” said Sheldon looking pleased.
It’s printed right on the back of his shirt, thought Penny then wondered why she was being so defensive.
“My brother and I used to read Green Lantern all the time. Hal Jordan’s my favourite.”
“Really?” said Sheldon, clearly astonished and pleased. “I’m partial to him myself.”
“Then we can compare notes, but let’s get you to wardrobe. Green Lantern doesn’t quite fit the setting we’re going for though. Penny, will you be able to stay? You’re welcome to sit in.”
“Oh that would be great, but I can’t stay long. I have my shift at the Cheesecake factory....”
“Then you can stay until you have to go. I’ll be right back....”
Jayden led Sheldon away, touching her hand briefly to his back as they walked out of the room. Penny looked away and studied the photographs on the wall with studied intensity. She didn’t think Jayden was in any hurry to get back, but she actually turned up in the next few minutes.
“I’ve got some really good ideas for him,” she said without preamble. “He’s got a really good look you know? I can imagine all kinds of great ways to pose him. Too bad he’s a scientist.”
“He’s a very good scientist,” said Penny, wondering again why she felt so moved to contradict the other girl.
“And therefore would not be interested in professional modelling,” sighed Jayden. “Let’s see that portfolio.”
Penny figured that she wouldn’t have her mind on it, but Jayden looked carefully at some of her pictures and skimmed the rest. Praised some of them, and suggested Penny join her Facebook group. “It’s a great place to network with other amateur photographers.”
Penny thanked her, feeling bad for her negative thoughts, then it was time to go into the studio which was just like she imagined with white walls and cameras and assistants darting all over the place.
Jayden jumped in at once, giving orders and checking cameras and lighting and Penny found a seat in a corner and felt just a little lost.
Sheldon walked in shortly after and stood alone across the room from her, looking at the activity with the usual expression of bewilderment he used whenever he was observing new and confusing human behaviour.
Penny gripped her seat a little more tightly and gazed across at him mouth open. Then she was walking across the room toward him before she realized it.
“Sheldon? You look great.”
“Do I?” he said uncomfortably, and she reflected that his arrogance and aura of self assurance seemed to apply almost exclusively to his superior brain power. She couldn’t remember a single time when he had exuded any overconfidence about his looks. Not necessarily because he didn’t think about them, but perhaps because Dr. Sheldon Cooper just didn’t think about such things.
Now as he stood before her clad in jeans, a dark purple shirt and a leather jacket which framed his long lean body, she could see many of her friends taking to this Sheldon Cooper. Her Sheldon Cooper who had suddenly become a young, trendily dressed creature she was not familiar with. Jayden had really caught onto something.
“Ah just what I wanted,” said Jayden behind them.
“This is not the attire I’m used to,” said Sheldon uncertainly. “Are you sure that this outfit will not take away anything from my credibility in the scientific community?”
“I’m sure it won’t,” said Jayden, her eyes running over him while a satisfied grin lit her face. “It’s raising you in my estimation right now and you were already pretty high up there. Let’s get started. And don’t worry I’ll take good care of you.”
Penny had to find her seat again, and sitting watching she was forced to admit again that Jayden knew her stuff. More importantly, she knew how to handle Sheldon...how to smooth out his concerns....how to praise him enough to keep him willing to co-operate.... She was very precise in her instructions, telling him exactly what she wanted him to do.
Sheldon himself was in fine form, Penny realized with surprise. He was clearly not in full OCD crazy mode today, but he seemed to have given in to the idea of taking direction. He was of course his usual awkward self, but he tried to follow Jayden’s directions, and because they were simple, he seemed to be doing okay with it. If he were in his element, Penny doubted that he would be submissive. Lucky for Jayden Howe.
During a break in the shooting, Penny went up to him where Jayden was talking to him eagerly and said she had to go.
“We’ll be breaking for lunch soon,” Jayden said.
“Oh what are you doing for lunch?” said Penny.
“No worries about that,” laughed Jayden. “Dr. Cooper gave us some very precise instructions, and I venture to think that we can please even him.” Her eyes dancing at Sheldon, suggested that she thought otherwise and thought it was a hoot.
“Well okay,” said Sheldon, “but Penny be sure that you’re here at five PM precisely. Remember to plan ahead for rush hour traffic.”
“We could probably arrange for a driver for you -“ began Jayden.
“No,” said Penny firmly. She turned and looked deliberately at Sheldon. “I’ll be here.”
She put Sheldon and little Miss Perfect Jayden firmly out of her mind and worked her shift with a vengeance, forcing big smiles at her patrons and darting around from table to table like some kind of waitress android on speed.
She was dog tired when she was done, and it was a long drive to the studio, but she made it in time. Ahead of time in fact. Sheldon would have no reason to throw a hissy fit.
The receptionist directed her to Jayden’s office as Dr. Cooper was just changing and would be with them momentarily. Jayden was there in a feng shui style office of bean bag chairs, tiny fountains and glorious muted colours. She sat at a tiny desk bent eagerly over a dark blue laptop.
“Come see this,” she called to Penny, the moment she entered. She was grinning gleefully. Penny looked and sat down slowly, remembering in time to keep her jaw from dropping. On the screen, she saw photos of Sheldon with lighting that enhanced his blue eyes. Sheldon sitting bonelessly in chairs or staring off into space contemplating life’s mysteries.
“These are my favourites,” said the photographer clicking to a new shot and Penny had to agree. She hadn’t been there for this part of the shoot. Jayden had taken him down to the basement. The image showed Sheldon lying on the ground (how the heck had she convinced him to do that), the camera taking him upside down, and he was looking up at her, right at Penny, his eyes intense, his body languid. In one picture, his shirt rode up just a little to offer a teasing look at one hip. He was ethereal. He was fascinating. Heck, he was just plain gorgeous.
“Holy crap on a cracker,” murmured Penny.
“Oh yeah,” Jayden agreed. “He’s got such an intensity. I asked him to think about something he felt really passionate about. He said something about string theory I cannot understand. I think I was really able to capture it. He’s truly brilliant. He has an IQ of 187. Did you know?”
“He may have mentioned something like that,” Penny replied, twisting her mouth ironically.
“Hmmmm. Is he seeing anyone?”
Penny choked. “Excuse me?”
“Is he dating? Anyone special in his life?”
Penny gazed at the woman dumbly. This smart, classy, talented hottie was interested in Sheldon himself. She hadn’t just been flirting with him to make him easier to work with. She actually wanted to go out with him.
Say yes, dim bulb a voice cried in her head. Tell her he has a girl friend; tell her he has a fiancée; tell her he’s gay. Anything! Penny’s head spun. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t be jealous of this woman. It made no sense. It did not compute. She should be happy for Sheldon and be supportive of him as she was for Leonard. Yet she wavered, and finally only managed to say in a small voice, “I....I don’t think there’s anybody, but-“
“Oh good you’re here,” said Sheldon walking in in his regular clothes. “We need to go so we can be in time to get some Thai food and get home before seven.”
On the way to the car, Jayden stopped Sheldon and Penny determinedly kept walking, deliberately not noticing, deliberately not looking back. Once behind the wheel, she stared at Jayden standing just a little too close to Sheldon who Penny thought looked as if he were intensely focused on what she was saying.
Penny’s fingers gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles whitening, then gasped a little as Jayden stood just a little taller (gosh she was practically an Amazon) and kissed Sheldon on the cheek. Penny slumped in her seat. Apparently she wasn’t the only one Sheldon knew who was a big ‘ol five.
He didn’t say anything much on the drive back. Neither did Penny. She needed several minutes to gather her courage.
Finally, she said, “Sooooooo Jayden Howe. She’s pretty cool huh?”
“I suppose,” said Sheldon and didn’t elaborate. Alarm bells were going off all through Penny’s head. Sheldon Cooper keeping his mouth shut was not a good sign.
“You too seemed to be really hitting it off,” she said looking anxiously at him.
“I suppose,” Sheldon said again, staring at his hands, then all at once, he added, “She just asked me out.”
The words didn’t quite make it out of Penny’s mouth the first try, then finally she was able to say in a falsely bright voice, “Well I guess she liked you huh? Are you gonna do it?’
“It’s weird,” said Sheldon frowning a little. “I had no idea that she was attracted to me. I told her no.”
Penny’s heart rate slowed down considerably, and she felt a little more herself as she cried, “Why not? She was cute. She’s nice.” She was a slut, she added with wicked delight in her head.
“She has a boyfriend,” said Sheldon. “They’re supposedly ‘on a break’”. His long fingers curled in quotation marks. “But I have no intention of becoming a barrier in any way, shape or form between her and some steroid infused Neanderthal.”
“I guess that makes sense,” said Penny and couldn’t quite keep a mad grin from taking over her face. “I’m sorry about that,” she added. “I think it would be nice if you got a girl in your life.”
“I don’t think so,” said Sheldon with certainty. “Penny you will recall my concerns when I thought I would add Kripke to my circle of friends. Letting someone into my social group is not a factor to be taken lightly. It can upset the delicate balance of my daily existence.”
“But sometimes that’s not so bad,” said Penny, smiling faintly.
“Well not in this case,” said Sheldon huffily, looking out the window at the passing traffic.
So he had not been mooning over feelings for Jayden. “I thought you kinda liked her though,” Penny went on. Her relief was palpable and she didn’t feel any need to question it at this time. “You know she was your Storm of the X-men. That’s a pretty big compliment coming from you. You never compliment me,” she added in a low voice and wondered where that came from.
Sheldon looked at her in confusion. “But you are quite unlike any of the X-men Penny. I suppose,” he amended, “that you could be compared to Emma Frost, but her very designation makes her a flat out contradiction to your personality.”
“What now?” asked Penny, trying to wade through this explanation.
“Now in familiar territory, Sheldon settled happily into his favourite subject. “Emma Frost is a tall, blond, known for her dry wit and humour. She has telekinetic abilities, and her personality tends to be rather cold and selfish.”
“So I’m not like her?”
Sheldon bestowed an incredulous look upon her. “Penny, besides your blonde hair, you have little to no resemblance to this woman. You are far more personable and pleasant. Even the name ‘Frost’ suggests coldness and frigidity. You are more” he reflected for a moment “like sunshine. You’re warm. You’re caring. You could never be an Emma Frost.”
“Thanks,” said Penny softly. “Thank you Sheldon.” She had to keep both hands on the wheel. If she made a move toward him, he would have a fit about getting into an accident, and it really wasn’t very safe - in more ways than one. She wasn’t quite sure what she would do if she got her hands on him. She felt warmth glowing in her heart.
Sheldon was still talking on. “Frankly that is one of the reasons I kept you within my social circle when its members were in question. That and the fact that you are featured in two important sets of my life.”
“Sets? What kind of set?”
Sheldon looked at her thoughtfully. “Are you familiar with Venn Diagrams? I assume that you may have heard of them. I mean, you haven’t had a real university education but - “
“Of course, I’ve heard about Venn Diagrams,” said Penny sharply. She fell silent, struggling with herself. Sheldon watched her narrow eyed, and finally she burst out, “Remind me what they have to do with this conversation?”
Sheldon smirked. (He was so infuriating!) “A Venn Diagram,” he said, in teacher mode, “is a representation which shows all hypothetically possible logical relations between a finite collection of sets, or groups of things if you will.”
“And in earthling that means?”
He continued, frowning slightly at her for interrupting him. “They are usually represented with circles which represent each set or group. I might draw a circle which represents all my friends and another for all the people I know who like Kung Pow chicken. The circles overlap at one point. All of the people who fit into both sets are represented in the space where the circles join.”
Some dim memories from math class were swimming in Penny’s brain. “So all of the people who are your friends and who like Kung Pow chicken are in that intersection?”
“Very good Penny,” said Sheldon with a delighted smile. Penny’s heart skipped and she thumped the steering wheel with delight. “Score one for me,” she said, feeling silly at how pleased she was.
“Anyway,” Sheldon went on. “If I had a circle representing my friends and another representing the women in my life who are important to me, you would be in that intersection. I mean I have friends: I have Leonard and Howard for example, but you’re also part of the set which includes my mother and my sisters. You’re the only one who fits both sets. You see?”
Penny’s breathing had quickened, and her eyes drifted from the road. “I see.” Sheldon was looking at her, his face vivid and animated as it always was when he was excited about a topic that interested him. The air in the car seemed suddenly highly charged, and Penny’s skin prickled. Sheldon’s face twitched, and he turned slowly, holding his body carefully.
“We’re here,” he said carefully as they came in sight of the restaurant.
Of course it took several minutes to make their order and for the increasingly annoyed workers at the restaurant to complete Sheldon’s meticulous order then to check it and make the changes he required, but Penny didn’t hear more than a word or two.
She spent most of the time in silence, hugging herself in a warm fog of delight. In his own roundabout way, Sheldon had said she was important to him, and nothing before had made it clearer to her. He was important to her too. Perhaps one of the most important people ever.
They were only a few minutes from home, and they called ahead to make sure someone would be downstairs to wait for them and help them get the food upstairs. Penny drove quickly, taking a shortcut, ignoring Sheldon’s little nervous sounds. To his credit, he said nothing until she pulled up in front of their apartment building.
Then she switched off the car and looked full at him. The light fell on him just right to spark and ignite his blue eyes, and she could see his pupils were dilated a little, his hands twitched a little with nervousness.
“Penny, are you okay?”
“Of course, I am sweetie. I’m just really happy is all.”
“Why?” he said helplessly.
“You admitted I was important to you. That’s a big thing. At least it feels that way to me. It means a lot, in here you know,” she said, pressing her hand to her chest.
“Well you are,” began Sheldon, but then Penny was reaching across to him, running her hand under his neck and his right cheek. (He had wonderful skin.) Then she was pressing her lips to his other cheek and leaning into him, breathing in his own clean Sheldon scent. He went very still, and she leaned back a little to look at him, a little afraid of his reaction.
His eyes were closed and he was taking deep controlling breaths. His skin was more flushed than she had ever seen it.
Penny smiled and leaned her forehead against his temple. “You could tell a girl a little more often you know,” she whispered. Sheldon opened his luminous eyes and after making a few failed attempts, managed to gasp, “I think that might be an acceptable stipulation.”
Penny leaned in to kiss him again, right on the corner of his mouth. She was willing to take it slowly for the moment. Sheldon breathed out and she felt the tremble of his breath on her cheek, and he began to turn, perhaps to make the kiss full frontal. Then,
“What’s up players!” yelled Howard, his head suddenly appearing in the driver’s window. Sheldon yelped and clasped at his heart. Penny gave a scream, turning her head toward Howard then away in half a second. She didn’t think she was quite ready to look someone in the face.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” said Howard laughing. He paused, “What? Was I interrupting something?” The spluttering laugh he gave right after showed how much he saw this as a possibility.
“No Wolowitz,” growled Sheldon. “We called ahead so you could help us, not scare us half to death.”
“Yeah,” said Penny still turned away from him. They both looked at her bent head. She added an explanation in a small voice, “I have something in my eye.”
“Want me to help you?” said Howard in his creepy seductive voice.
Sheldon made a scornful noise and got out of the car. “Honestly Wolowitz.”
“What!” said Howard, moving around the car to follow him.
Penny giggled. Her heart was still hammering, and not only because of her scare. She took a few deep breaths to tone herself down a bit. It would have to do. She wasn’t going to come down from this bubbly high anytime soon. She got out of the car.
Howard and Sheldon were arguing as they pulled the bags of food out of the backseat.
“Oh, so now you’re a model, you’re all Mr. Nerd Stud now,” complained Howard.
“If there were such an appellation,” said Sheldon, “it would be Doctor Nerd Stud to you, though in my estimation you’re not an expert as neither of those designations applies to you.”
Howard blustered and Penny reached past Sheldon to get the last bag from the car. As she stood up beside him, he reached down and across and took it from her. His arm brushed her body as he bent over and his fingers lingered on her hand for just a second too long. He was very warm. Penny gave a tiny squeak, but it happened so quickly Howard did not notice. He was too busy trying to formulate a good comeback, but all he could say was, “Oh really!”
“Have I ever complimented you on your mastery of articulation?” said Sheldon walking away. He had of course manoeuvred, so Howard was holding most of the bags. He could barely get his chin over the top of them as he carried his load in his arms.
Sheldon opened the door for them. Howard went in first, still complaining and Penny followed. Glancing up, she was in time to see the look from under heavy lids that Sheldon gave her as she passed him. She was sure he would not consider the expression to be either sexy or smouldering, but Penny thought it might be both. And she was the better judge.
Take that Jayden Howe, she thought smugly.
Sheldon passed her and walked up the stairs beside Wolowitz so they could bicker their way up to their floor.
Penny skipped up after them, light and airy as sunshine.