A Shenny Romance (Big Bang Theory Fanfic)

Chapter 16-Penny's faux pas

'Looks like the date went well?' Raj raised an eyebrow as he placed his tray on the table.

'You have no idea.' Howard grinned. 'She's a total sucker for me now.' Another text came in, and Howard held his phone out to his best friend. 'See?'

Raj rolled his eyes good-naturedly. 'She won't be so friendly if she knew about your -'

'-heyyyy Penny!' Howard interrupted, his eyes lighting up when he saw the blonde rush in, looking strangely tear-stricken. 'What are you doing here?'

'Ohh, I, uh, ' Penny stuttered. Honestly, she'd just stumbled in in a haze of humiliation and disappointment and had wanted to head back home. 'Is Leonard here?' She blurted out impulsively.

'Oh, I think he's having a quick lunch in his lab today. He's really busy with some new research thing-'

'Got it, thanks Howard.' Penny quickly said and rushed back out.

'Strange, she looks like she's been crying or something. ' Raj spoke up.

Howard gasped in an exaggerated manner. 'Cry? Never. Who can make such a stunning creature shed a tear of sorrow?'

'Me, that's who. ' Sheldon had crept in silently while Howard was raving about Penny.

'It's not your fault, Sheldon. ' Amy said quietly, trailing behind him. 'It was a really huge mess.'

'Right, I suppose her attractiveness doesn't discount her from the consequences of her carelessness. ' Sheldon frowned. 'We'll have to write another paper on why they should continue to sponsor us and fund for a new brain. '

'Someone care to fill us in on what just happened?' Howard raised an eyebrow.

Amy sighed and told the both of them.

'Aw, poor Penny! ' Howard sympathized.

'Actually, it seems like it's her fault. ' Raj said. 'I mean, she did accidentally spill the drink all over the specimen... '

'And we do have a lot of explaining to do.' Amy fretted. Should she feel bad for Penny like she did now? Or should she feel just a tiny bit relieved that Penny's screw-up had left a blemish on Sheldon's impression of her?

'But we did break the basic rule: no food or drinks in the laboratories unless otherwise stated or we've sought permission, which we did not.' Sheldon sighed.

'I suppose we have to go find her and file a report. Cmon,' Amy tugged at Sheldon's sleeve, and felt her heart warm when Sheldon looked her directly in the eye and nod firmly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leonard nodded sympathetically as Penny recounted to him tearfully what had happened a few minutes ago.

'...I'm just...such a huge screw-up! I can't even do a simple thing right. What was I even thinking, wanting to make it big as some Hollywood actress by moving here? I'm still a waitress surviving on minimum wage and meager tips, ' Penny ranted sorrowfully. 

Leonard cleared his throat awkwardly. His mom Beverly had never been one to shower affection on her son, so it was only natural that Leonard wasn't the best at comforting people. 'There, there... ' Well, he'd seen someone do that on TV and he was pretty sure it had worked on them. Only, it made Penny wail louder.

'Penny... you're not a screw-up. You hear me? I can name so many great qualities that you have. ' Leonard said impulsively.

'Really? ' Penny widened her teary, doe-like eyes.

'Yeah. You're sociable. You get along with everyone. You're optimistic and you choose to see the good in people."

"But they didn't get me anywhere, did they?" Penny said bitterly. "Besides, I'm not smart like you or Sheldon... or any of you."

"That's a whole other matter." Leonard argued. "You're street-smart. You strike up conversations, be it small talk or not, with complete strangers so easily or ask for help without feeling awkward, something which I'd only manage to do barely if I was tied up with Voldemort and locked in a small, dark room..." Leonard shuddered. "And... this means you're open and up for love. Which is something people like me don't have the luxury of." he admitted.

"You know that isn't true either." Penny said softly, her wide blue eyes looking even brighter after the bout of tears she'd shed.

She pressed a hand gently against Leonard's chest, feeling a warm buzz in her own and kissed him.

A/n: Penny just kissed Leonard?! Wait, isn't this supposed to be a Shenny? Read on (;