Is This a Date?

Author's Note: Some things came up, delaying this posting. But you probably have already guessed that. So here's chapter 2. Same rules apply.

MmeMoirae, thanks for your suggestion. In this chapter I broke up the paragraphs for the conversation as you mentioned.

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Big Bang Theory franchise.

About half an hour later, Penny found herself standing outside of the apartment door again. She had tried, really she did. But after a glass of wine she was just feeling more miserable as the bills seemed to stare at her from the coffee table where she sat them down. They'll be paid; she promised them they would be. Just not now. One more paycheck and she could pay a couple of them. Not late, no. Just… a little close to the deadline. That's not a crime. Those bills had no right to make her feel like some kind of criminal. And so after stuffing them into her drawer she slipped on some flip flops and left her apartment for some air.

The lock had just clicked in place when she could hear an argument breaking out from across the hall. Weird. They never fight. At least, not that she's seen. Okay, so she's only been there a few days. But she's always been pretty good at reading people. Maybe they did fight and she just didn't know about it. But, they seemed so quiet and shy. Suddenly the voices seemed to be getting closer. She had to move. She had to get out of there. She hates arguments. No one likes to have an audience for their argument. They're neighbors, too. That could ruin her chances of having a good neighborship with them. Things would get so weird. But which way to go? They're almost to the door now. Should she go back inside or make a break for the stairs? As she could hear their lock begin to open, Penny quickly grabbed her key and threw it in the loc-

Crap on a cracker.

She froze as their door flew open and their whole group came out to the hallway, pressing herself back against her door.

"I don't think you all understand. Today is not an anything can happen Thursday. Perhaps if it were I could overlook this blatant disregard for our regular schedule. Seeing as it is not, however, you need to cease this ridiculous arguing and get ready for Souplanation. We always go dine there on Thursdays," Sheldon was the last one out; he seemed to be the lone man on his team and striking out.

They hadn't noticed her yet. Maybe she could still sneak away…. No, movement would catch their eyes. Like on that dinosaur movie. If she doesn't move, maybe they won't see her. Only, they aren't dinosaurs. They're smart. If they were the dinosaurs they'd be the ones figuring out how to open the doors. They would open the doors and eat people, because that's what dinosaurs do in movies. And Penny did not want to get eaten.

"Go by yourself, Sheldon. I already told you where we're going if you change your mind."

Penny was shocked. That was Leonard saying that. Leonard doesn't say things like that. He's awkward and tries to make a point but backs down. They all back down. Sheldon always got his way. That's just how it is. What is this? Just when you think you have things figured out, everything stands on its head. Are any of them wearing a red and brown sweater? No, no, wait. Maybe she's been watching too many old movies. Well, cutting out the movie channels would make for one less bill every month. But still, this is really weird.

"You know there needs to be an even number of people when dining out. And – hey! Get back here! Don't just walk away from this," Sheldon's voice started to get that twang in it again.

Huh. It did that when she asked about the colonoscopy, too. And even number of people? How does that even make a difference? Maybe part of being one of those beautiful mind people is having some OCD or something. They have to have the numbers of everything a certain way.

"Fine. That's a strike for each of you!" he called out after them down the stairwell. "This will throw off the entire schedule for the night. How can you possibly expect to find-"

Sheldon cut himself off as he spotted Penny. Sound dried up instantly in his throat as he froze, reminding Penny of how Raj loses his voice around girls. His hand was still raised, pointing after where the guys disappeared down the stairs. There was a moment of the two staring at each other before they gathered their wits. Sheldon lowered his hand and nodded and Penny took the key back out of the lock.

"So you guys usually go to Souplantation on Thursdays? It must be a great place." She wasn't sure why she felt like she had to start talking. They could have just nodded and gone back to their lives. Him back to his room for his now ruined schedule and her back to the darkness or out to a walk on the streets.

"Their food and service has met my expectations. The food and kitchens are kept clean and they do get my orders right." Sheldon seemed to be calming down a little bit, but it looked like he wasn't joking about thinking the night was ruined.

"Do you still want to go to Souplantation?" she offered.

Sure, her bank account would be sore in the morning, but there's really no reason for both of them to have a miserable night. At least he'll be able to have his regular dinner. And who knows? Maybe it won't be so bad. He'll talk science and she'll not understand a word of it. But that has to be better than wandering around trying not to think about life.

Looking back up at Sheldon, she noticed he was looking at her like she was a child.

"Of course I do," he was speaking slowly as if she wouldn't understand him. "It's Thursday, and I always eat at Souplantation on Thursdays. I thought this was already covered."

Penny sighed. Of course he didn't get it. "I heard that, yes. What I meant was, would you like to go together with me to Souplantation?"

"Oh." He was then looking at her shrewdly as if weighing his options.

"I mean, you go there every week, and with me there, it'll be an even number," she didn't know why she kept talking. "This way you get to keep your schedule."

There was a moment of silence between them as he considered. Suddenly nervous, Penny started fidgeting with the key in her hands. She was just about to tell him to forget the whole thing when he surprised her, agreeing to go. Looking back up, she was surprised to see a genuine smile on his face. By now she was used to his semi-creepy smiles, but this one was real. It took some effort to not let her jaw drop or react to it.

Composing herself, she looked down at her Cheesecake Factory uniform and grimiaced. She could practically feel the grime everywhere. "Okay. Well I'll just need a few minutes to take a shower and change and then we can head out."

His eyes dropped to her uniform, taking in her appearance. "What's wrong with what you're wearing now?"

"Sheldon, I can't go to a restaurant in another place's uniform," she pointed to her the company's logo on her shirt, exasperated.

"Why not? It is clearly not the uniform for Sopulantation, so it is not as if you will be confused with any of their employees tonight."

Oh, wow. Maybe there's some drawbacks to having a beautiful mind after all. This wasn't the first time he didn't understand social norms.

"Because it's a very rude thing to do, that's why. You can't wear a competing places' uniform when going out somewhere. That's just asking for trouble."

"Alright. Then I'll come over in 30 minutes. Will that be a sufficient amount of time for you to get ready?"

"Sounds good, see you later."

As the two went back to their respective apartments, Penny smiled. Perhaps the night wasn't ruined after all.

A/N: The A/N Strikes Back. Again, I'd love to hear your input and thoughts on the story so far.