I'm so sorry for leaving you guys hanging for nearly three years. I never forgot you all!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH!

Please remember to review at the end! :)

"This is ridiculous, Penny."

Penny laughed, lightly, as she stirred the sauce in the pan. "No, it's good manners."

"We are not in the country anymore. We don't have to bake a cake or pie and take it to the people in the community!" Sheldon ranted, from his stool at the small bar.

She sighed and turned to face her upset husband with the spoon in her hand. "First off, I know we are in the city. Second, it will be good to make amends with our neighbors, especially since they work with you. Thirdly, you need friends, Sheldon."

"I have you, Penny."

She smiled and her shoulders sagged at the beauty of the statement. "Yes, you do, and you always will, but these friends are ones that you can talk physics and Star Trek and Star Wars with."

"They probably think the first Star Trek movie is the best one, not to mention believing the prequels are the best Star Wars." He muttered, turning his head away from her.

She bit back a laugh. "You got to admit. The young Obi-Wan was handsome." She remarked, knowing the reaction it would bring.

He jerked his head with his eyes flashing. His mouth opened and then closed with his jaw clenching.

She moved around the counter and stopped beside him. Leaning closer to his ear, she blew on the tip. He shivered and slowly turned with his eyes still conveying the jealousy. She cupped his cheek. "Of course, he can not compare to my own Mr. Spock."

He blushed, slowly wrapped his arms around her body, and pulled her close. She smiled and brushed her lips over his before he pulled her tighter against him.

Her arms encircled his neck as the kiss deepened and she shivered against him. She pulled back a fraction and slid her arms down. "I need to stir the sauce." She whispered, breathlessly.

Sheldon nodded, hating that he had to let her go. "By all means,"

Penny licked her lips while moving back towards the stove and stirred the sauce. His kisses were sort of an aphrodisiac. They made her legs watery and her body surge with passion and heat. No one believed it when she said she was in love with the physics genius.

She smiled as she added a few more spices to the sauce. She remembered all too well how they had met. He had been substituting for a professor at the community college where she was taking classes for her associates, and unlike the other students, she found him fascinating.

She could tell he was nervous, standing in front of the class, trying to discuss theoretical physics, but when he got in the rhythm, it was hard to keep up.

She had taken the class as an elective, which was unusual for her, but she thought it was a pretty good class to take. Granted, she was more into literature and history than science, but it was a step she hoped would have helped her in the long run.

After class, she approached him and congratulated him on his teaching prose, and he responded with a stiff reply before saying she had an attractive farmer's tan.

After watching him in class, she realized he had a difficult time talking to others, and so she smiled and thanked him.

"I don't mean to offend…" He had stated, very quickly, but she had told him that it was not an offense, for she understood.

She smiled even wider, her eyes drifting in the distance as the memory of their meeting replayed through her mind.

"Penny, darling, you are going to burn the sauce."

She jerked her head and felt his hand encompass her on the spoon, and let out a quick breath as he swooped in and saved the sauce. "Oh, dear,"

He wrapped his other arm around her and held her close while he lifted another spoon to taste the product. She bit back a smile at his actions, taking note that he dropped the spoon in the sink.

He never tasted the food with the stirring utensil, and always critiqued her on the action. "Can't be spreading germs…" Or something to that effect.

"My hero," She drawled in her country accent. He blushed and dipped his head. It always seemed to embarrass him when she spoke like that.

"Yes, well," He stuttered, as she leaned into his side. "I believe the sauce is done."

She giggled and nodded. "I believe you're right." She confirmed, turning off the burner and placed a lid on the top of the pan. She turned and lifted her head to brush her lips over his cheek. "Thank you, sweetie."

He closed his eyes at the touch of her lips on his cheek and breathed out. "You're welcome, Penny."

She caressed his cheek and moved back. "I better change before the boys get here." She glanced at his shirt and frowned. "You should too."

"Why?" He glanced down and shrugged at his 'Flash' novelty shift. "I like the Flash."

She sighed. "Sheldon, this is supposed to be a nice dinner."

"Not a fancy one. I won't change into a stuffy shirt when all we are having is spaghetti and garlic bread." He stated, folding his arms over his chest.

She rolled her eyes. "Sheldon, I didn't mean change into a dress shirt. I meant to change into another T-shirt. That one has sauce on it."

He glanced down and gasped as he saw the spot. "Good Lord!" He remarked, turning on his heel and rushed into the bedroom with Penny following, hiding her smile at his antics.

He slipped the shirt off and placed it in the hamper before rushing towards the drawer where his shirts were. "I know I have another shirt in here."

She leaned against the doorframe and smiled as her husband began to dig through the drawers. "Your other Flash shirt is in the wash, sweetie." She revealed, casually.

He gasped and whirled around to face her. "What's it doing in the wash?"

"I suspect it's there being washed, Sheldon."

"Penny, this is Friday. Friday is Flash shirt day. I have to wear Flash on Friday." He remarked in a panicked tone.

She shook her head. "Sweetie, I know you have a system, but I didn't have time to wash this week, what with the new job and the schedules." She began, pushing away from the doorframe and approached him. "I'm sure, just this once, you can wear another shirt. Batman or Iron Man or whatever."

"Oh, Penny…" He moaned, turning to gaze sorrowfully at the dresser. "It's Flash day."

Lifting her hands, she grasped his head and turned him to look at her. "It's just one day, sweetie, and besides, they won't know if you don't tell them."

He let out a quick breath, his face twitching with aggravation. She knew it was hard for him to break a habit, and she tried to be supportive of his habits, well most of them. For the most part, they were enduring and manageable, but for others, it was hard. But then, she knew what she was getting into when she fell in love with the eccentric scientist.

Oh, did she love this man to distraction.

"Alright," Sheldon acquiesced, his shoulders slumping slightly in disappointment.

She stroked his cheeks and pulled him down to kiss him quickly. "That's my Spock." She whispered, moving her hands down to caress his bare shoulders.

He sighed, searching her eyes. "Is my Spock shirt in the wash?"

She blushed and shook her head. The intensity of his gaze had her heart flipping in her chest. "Nope, well, one is but the other two should be in the drawers."

He nodded but refused to move from the position he was standing. He loved holding his wife, being close to her. It was one of the quirks he let go through the years…human contact at least hers.

"Sheldon, you should put a shirt on." She whispered, shaking at the desire flaming in his eyes.

"In a minute, Penny," He remarked, picking her up and carried her to the bed.

She gasped as she bounced on the bed with Sheldon followed suit before she could protest, her train of thought went out the window.

Suddenly, the Flash shirt became one of her favorite shirts her husband owned.

~XXX~

"An evening with the machine of the university," Howard remarked, rolling his eyes as the three of them approached the door to their neighbor's apartment.

"Yes, but it's also an evening with his…wife," Raj added, lifting a finger.

"How in the world did I let you guys talk me into this?" Leonard asked, placing his hands in his jeans.

"Because you have a thing for your lab partner's wife, and you need to get her out of your system," Howard stated, with Raj nodding in agreement. "Besides, he may not be that bad at home. Penny probably has a…humanizing effect on him."

"Yeah, she's probably his Padme to his Darth Vader." Raj reasoned, nodding his head.

Leonard sighed. "That would take a miracle." He returned, lifting his hand to knock on the door. "Let's get this over with."

After three knocks, the door opened and the three boys swallowed. On the other side of the door was Sheldon with a grim expression on his face.

"Sheldon, let them in."

He rolled his eyes at his wife's tone. "Please come in." He remarked, stiffly, stepping aside to allow the other three to enter the apartment.

They all shifted on their feet, unsure of what to say.

"Sheldon, where are your manners?" Penny remarked, coming from the small kitchenette.

Sheldon let out a quick breath. "Would you care for a beverage?" He asked them, motioning to the couch and chairs.

"Sure," Howard remarked first, moving to sit on the couch with Raj nodding along.

Leonard nodded and sat down next to them on the couch. "What do you have?"

Sheldon sighed. "Red wine, whiskey, gin, water, tea…" He rattled off, as Penny watched with a smile.

"Wine will be fine," Howard remarked, leaning over to Raj. "Although something stronger would be preferred."

Raj nodded at his friend's remarks and accepted the wine glass from Sheldon as he handed each of them a glass.

Penny smiled and motioned for Sheldon to continue on as she finished up the preparations. "Sheldon and I are glad that you guys could make it." She remarked as she dug out the plates. "We've only been living in California for a few weeks and we haven't had much time to go out and meet people."

"Where are you guys from?" Howard asked, glancing at Penny.

"Texas," Sheldon answered, but Penny laughed.

"He's from Texas. I'm originally from Nebraska." Penny reiterated, happily.

"How…how did you two meet?" Howard asked, realizing Leonard did not know where to go in the conversation.

"Oh, Sheldon was subbing for a class I was in at a community college," Penny answered, carefully. "I moved to Texas for a time to get away from…family." She paused, glancing at Sheldon, who glanced back with a soft expression. "Anyway, we had a deal. I would help him with crowds and he would help me with my classes."

"What classes?" Leonard asked, joining the conversation.

Penny shrugged, placing a plate of garlic bread on the table. "Oh, a few science classes. I thought about becoming a nurse, but then I don't like needles, so I settled for studying theatre and literature." She paused, turning back to the island. "My associate's degree is mainly in liberal arts, but it was worth it."

Leonard, Howard, and Raj glanced at each other, unbelieving they were hearing the words coming from their nemesis' wife.

Sheldon glared at them. "Penny worked hard on her degree. Though, not as hard as me, but still, she deserved her degree."

Penny placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "That's because I didn't go for my doctorate and besides yours is in theoretical physics. All those theories, especially the Einstein-Rosen bridge just goes over my head."

Their mouths dropped at her words and they all glanced at each other.

She shrugged as if it didn't bother her and smiled. "Being married to this man, you pick up a few things."

Sheldon smiled proudly and grasped her hand in his before she moved to gather the plates of spaghetti. "She's an avid learner."

"Yes, but sometimes, I would rather watch Hallmark or something other than Star Trek or Star Wars. Although, I do enjoy Stargate."

Raj smiled. "Hallmark movies are so moving." Taking a sip of wine, shocking Leonard and Howard with his conversation with Penny.

Penny nodded. "Aren't they though?" She remarked with a smile. "I love the Murders and Mysteries, but I can't watch them with Sheldon." She paused, handing Raj a plate. "He spoils it halfway through."

"The plot lines are very predictable."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, but that doesn't mean you spoil them for someone who wants to enjoy it."

Sheldon sighed and glanced at the others. "They are not intellectual."

"Oh, I don't know, sometimes, mysteries stimulate the brain cells," Raj remarked, taking a bite of the spaghetti.

Penny smiled and tilted her head to the side at the explanation.

Sheldon twirled the fork on his plate and lifted it to his mouth. "I prefer to be stimulated through intellectual programs."

Leonard cleared his throat. "Which ones?"

Sheldon shrugged. "There are very few which are scientifically sound."

Penny nodded. "He spends most of his intellectual stimulation arguing with the documentaries. His enemy at present is the History Channel." She remarked rolling her eyes.

"A whole channel?" Leonard questioned, wide-eyed.

"What's so crazy about that?" Howard asked, taking a bite of the spaghetti.

Penny smiled. "He argues with everything on it." She clarified, clearly supportive.

"Not everything, Penny," Sheldon argued with a sparkle in his eyes.

"He only does it because I enjoy the history." Penny returned, smiling even more. "He does enjoy Doctor Who." She added, catching Sheldon's eyes.

"Which Doctor?" Howard asked, glancing at Sheldon.

Sheldon shrugged. "The Fourth Doctor, to me, is the best one. Ten is adequate." He answered, absently.

"Ten is a little crazy." Raj injected, nodding his head.

"His enthusiasm is a bit much." Howard agreed as Sheldon nodded in agreement.

"I don't know. Sheldon gets like that when he discusses string theory." Penny added into the conversation. She lifted her gaze and winked at Sheldon, who blushed and shifted in his seat. "Of course, his all-time favorite show is Star Trek."

"Really?" Leonard asked, astonished.

Sheldon nodded.

Raj lifted his fork and pointed it at Sheldon, motioning to the shirt Sheldon wore. "You look like a Spock fan."

Sheldon hummed as he swallowed a bite. "Leonard Nimoy is a god," Sheldon revealed, catching his wife roll of her eyes.

"True…" The others agreed.

"Though, Picard is clearly a superior captain." Howard remarked, lifting his fork in the air.

Sheldon sputtered and his eyes widened. "Picard…"

Penny slowly stood up, carrying her plate and held back a laugh as they began a colorful debate in her living section over which captain in the Trek-verse was the best one. A quick glance back towards the group told her that her husband was enjoying the lively debate.

It was going just as she hoped. He husband, a man who did not like too many people, was making friends.

~XXX~

The dishes were placed in the cabinets and the company had left just fifteen minutes before with an invitation for Sheldon to come over and play one of the many video games they all enjoyed.

She sensed eyes focusing on her back and she smiled as she turned with the towel in her hands. She tilted her head to the side and watched her husband sit on the stool across from her. "It wasn't a nightmare."

Sheldon groaned and turned his head. "No,"

She dropped the towel behind her and walked around the island towards him. "So…I was right." She continued, dragging the words out.

He huffed and refused to turn on the stool to face her. "Apparently,"

She slid her hand up his back to the base of his hairline. Twirling her fingers through the short hairs on his neck, she bit back a smile as he tried to hide his shiver. "Mad at me?"

He clenched his eyes closed and wanted so much to say yes, but he couldn't. He never could stay mad her. Letting out a sigh, the tension in his shoulders evaporated. Opening his eyes, he turned on the stool and held her eyes. "No,"

She sighed. Such a simple answer. She caressed his neck and moved between his legs. "Are you okay?"

He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I underestimated them. Especially Wolowitz."

"Besides the leering, he's…interesting." Penny agreed, rubbing his neck.

Sheldon's brow furrowed. "He leered at you?"

Penny shrugged and searched his eyes. "He didn't leer long." She responded, softly. "I got the impression that they were all stunned."

Sheldon swallowed and lowered his eyes. "They…couldn't believe that you and I are married." He stuttered at the beginning.

She opened her mouth and smiled. "Ah," She paused, feeling his hands massage her hips. "I take it you set them straight." She added, knowing him very well.

The look on his face gave her the answer she knew already. She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his. "My hero," She paused, pulling back. "My Flash. My Spock."

He blushed at her descriptions of him and pulled her closer. "My Iris. My Kirk."

She laughed at his last word. "Kirk? You couldn't have said Uhura?"

He shrugged and leaned forward. "You can't have Spock without Kirk."

Closing the distance between the, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And you can't have Penny without Sheldon." She whispered in his ear.

He sighed, holding her close. "No, you can't have Sheldon without Penny."

His tender words relayed the fear she knew he held. Holding him close, she kissed the base of his neck. "I love you, Sheldon Cooper." She whispered, lovingly.

He sighed. "I love you, Penny Cooper."

She smiled and pulled back. "Popcorn?"

He tilted his head and nodded. "New or Old?"

She shrugged. "Friday is your night to decide." She answered, pulling back.

He nodded and clapped his hands together. "Wrath of Khan,"

She sighed and shook her head. "How did I know?" She asked herself as her husband proceeded to place the beloved movie in the DVD player as she popped the treat and gathered some bottles of water.

Just another typical night in the home of the Coopers and for Penny, it was wonderful.

Please be kind!

I'm so sorry for leaving you all hanging. Life has a way of hitting in me in the face it seems. Since I've been gone, I've completed my Masters in History, so YAY! If you don't know, I had about twenty papers to write with one 75-100 page for my Thesis. That took up a lot of my time, as some of you may know. :)

I'm trying to get back on track, but I find my inspiration to write has been lax of late, but I will do my best to get going!

Oh, in case you noticed in this chapter, I'm a Sci-Fi nerd, not a HUGE one. Yes, I do watch Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who and Stargate. FYI, I may mention Stargate in here a few times, because...I just can't help myself! I hope I got a few of those references right in here.

Next Chapter: The Game

Until Next Time... (Maybe it won't be so long!)