The Game The Started the Change

Chapter 5: Stage 2: Discovery

"So… what is on the agenda for this afternoon?" Penny asked Sheldon after they finished breakfast.

"Well, this train has a little museum that-" Sheldon suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Penny looked around them to see if she can figure out why.

"Sheldon?" Penny probed after a moment.

"Sorry, Penny. The only thing I can think of is the train gift shop/museum. But I know that isn't fun for you. As there is nothing else on this train until we transfer to the next one this evening, I am at a loss."

"Since when do you turn down the chance to see a train museum?" Penny questioned.

Sheldon shrugged one shoulder in response.

" Uh Uh. Nope! Not happening!" Penny slammed her hand down on the table. Not quite making things rattle.

"Pardon?"

"You are not stopping yourself from doing something you enjoy just because I am here." Penny's eyes narrowed at him. Something wasn't right here and she was going to find out what. She knew it couldn't be because of Leonard. He didn't know she wasn't staying home until he would have gotten back. Unless…

"Is this about Leonard? Did he call you this morning?" Penny studied the man across from her very carefully.

Sheldon's eyes grew huge at Penny's question. Leonard had indeed said some very hurtful things the day before, but it had given him much to think about.

"Not exactly." Sheldon hedged.

"How not exactly?" Penny's eyes narrowed further.

"He had said a lot to me yesterday, but this doesn't have to do with that." Sheldon shifted in his seat. He felt like a kid again when he got in trouble for his cat scanner.

Penny held up her open hand. She then raised her right eyebrow as she closed one finger at a time into a fist. Counting down from five. Sheldon caved at three.

"It's more of what he said to you." Sheldon looked around as he confessed. Penny did as well. People were all around them enjoying breakfast. A young couple sat feeding each other. A businessman was on his computer and cell phone. An old couple looked content just being together and a gang of young women, mid-20s, sat one table away. They were actively listening to Penny and Sheldon's conversation. She heard one tell the other that a girl like Penny would never date a guy like Sheldon. That he "must" be her brother.

Penny stood up, walked around the table, and sat in Sheldon's lap. "Sweetie, you know that I want you to have fun too right?"

Sheldon's breath caught in his throat while looking like a deer caught in the headlights. His hands automatically grasped her hips to hold her in place as the train continued its gentle swaying. As he looked up at her, he realized that she had leaned down close to his ear, while his brain had been processing just how good she felt in his lap. How right it felt.

" If you don't want to go to the train museum we could always go back to the cabin." Penny purred into his ear just loud enough for the girls to hear. "But the idea of my Doctor Cooper, telling me how a train works and the history of the parts that can be seen in the museum…"

Sheldon felt Penny shudder in his lap. He was sure it was in revolution despite what her words and tone suggest. He had heard the girls as well.

"Penny we-" Sheldon's brain stopped. Penny had shifted in his lap so she was straddling him with her back to the girls. He could feel every sway of the train car against his very prominent erection. Her head lowered at an angle to suggest kissing but stopped just before touching his lips. Her hair managed to block their faces.