I NEED YOU

Sadly I don't own anything BBT, Football nothing

"I'll be here when you get back Sheldon." 1/3

As the four friends reached the 4th floor they were still busy discussing the new movie they'd seen.

They stood impatiently waiting for Sheldon to unlock the door.

Across the hall the door to 4b opened a tall well-built African-American man walked out closely followed by Penny.

She was smiling but somehow it wasn't quite reaching her eyes, only Sheldon noticed it before he turned back to unlock their door,

"Hi guy's this is my friend Charles," Penny said waving to the man next to her.

A really good friend by the way Penny's dressed, Leonard thought.

"Ok see you all later," Penny said as she tried in vain move the man mountain toward the stairs,

"Yeah maybe catch you guy's later," Charles said, he started to laugh as he followed Penny.

It was clear he was mocking them but it seemed Sheldon was the only one pick up on it.

As Raj closed the door he had a puzzled expression on his face, "I'm sure I've seen Penny's new boyfriend somewhere before?"

Sheldon who by now was over in the kitchen removing the take-out from the bags answered him,

"He plays football, that's American football of course not to be confused with the original European football,"

His three friends just stared at him, on seeing no one was going to speak Sheldon continued,

"Yes, he plays for the San Diego Chargers, however I believe he is under some form of suspension at the moment.

It's widely thought this is the reason for him being traded to the Miami Dolphins. I was surprised to see him he's due in Miami tomorrow."

Sheldon now sat in his spot his food in front of him, a contented smile on his face as his three friends still stared at him open mouthed.

Leonard was the first to speak, "Sheldon how the Hell do you know all that?"

"Please Leonard I was raised in Texas, plus I mistakenly clicked on ESPN while researching a paper on line."

Howard who was also now sitting on the couch said, "Yeah, I've done that before, although I've never found sports."

Leonard was pensive, sitting in his chair he just stared at the door, "I wonder if Penny knows about him leaving?"

Sheldon looked up from his food, he was keenly aware how his room-mate still moped over Penny,

"Yes Leonard, I'm sure he'll explain it to Penny in doing so guaranteeing he has coitus with her."

Leonard looked down at his food then back to Sheldon squinting a little, "You think so?"

Both Howard and Raj were trying not to laugh now as Sheldon looked at them, "And they say I don't get sarcasm."

The next morning Sheldon stood in the hallway waiting for Leonard who as usual was running late,

"Leonard may I remind you that if you organised your morning routine as I do we would," he looked at his watch, "My, God we would not be six minutes late,"

Just then the door to 4b opened as the wayward footballer walked out clearly still wearing the same clothes as last night.

Penny wearing her short pink robe followed him.

Charles smiled as he saw Sheldon, Penny however merely looked down at the floor, "Hi, bro' I said we'd catch up again," said a way to happy Charles.

He turned to Penny before kissing her, "Thanks babe it was a blast, I'll call you ok,"

Penny stood trying her best to smile as he walked toward the stairs.

Something happened as he passed Sheldon. Something that would change their lives for ever.

A little spark that had sat quietly and unnoticed deep down in the very depths of Sheldon's sole suddenly burst into life.

It was this that made him say, "Will that be a long distance phone call from Miami?"

Charles stopped dead in his tracks slowly turning to look at Sheldon.

The two stared at each other for what seemed like minutes but in fact was mere seconds.

260 pounds of rock hard muscle now stood toe to toe with 140 pounds of Sheldon Cooper. Charles suddenly burst out laughing holding up his hands, "Yeah you got me," turning to look back at Penny. Still laughing he shrugged, "Sorry babe, but hi you were great,"

He then calmly turned and walked down the stairs.

Sheldon watched as he walked away then as he turned back to look at Penny, she had gone.

She had simply want back into her apartment and quietly closed the door.

As strange as it may seem Sheldon would have been happier if she had screamed and slammed her door.

Leonard choose this moment to walk out of their apartment, "Ok you ready to go Sheldon, who were you talking to?"

Sheldon was still staring at Penny's door, "Leonard wait in the car for me? I won't be a moment,"

Leonard know something was wrong but he knew better then to ask, "Ok, I'll wait downstairs,"

As Leonard's footsteps faded, Sheldon walked over and knocked on Penny's door.

###Penny ###Penny ###Penny

"It's open Sheldon,"

As he entered, Penny was sitting on the couch staring at an open bottle of wine on the table.

"You really think that's the answer Penny?"

She looked up at him, "Why not? It courses the problems maybe it'll make them go away,"

Penny suddenly picked up the bottle throwing it toward the sink, it shattered, the glass falling into the sink,

"Damnit Sheldon, I thought this one was different," Penny's head dropped her face now pressed into her hands.

Sheldon's heart went out to her at the sounds of her sobbing. He quietly sat down next to her.

"But why should this one be any different Penny? You constantly, I believe the term is 'hook up' with men who only see you as a conquest, a trophy to be shown off to their friends.

You're so much more than that Penny, you deserve much more."

She tried to look up, tried to smile to show him she understood, but she couldn't.

"Sheldon if you knew about him why didn't you say something?" Her voice breaking a little.

He looked down at his hands resting in his lap, "Penny it was hardly my place to tell you how to run your life."

He wanted to put his arm around her to tell her everything was going to be alright, but he couldn't! A life time of shying away from people couldn't be overcome so quickly, although every fibre of his being wanted to.

Instead he merely patted her shoulder and said, "There, there Sheldon's here,"

Penny slowly sat up leaning her head on his arm, he forced himself not to pull away, "You know all last night while we were…"

"Having coitus," interrupted Sheldon.

Penny winced at that name, "Yeah that, he never once said anything about moving away?"

Penny reached over to the table grabbing a handle full of tissues to blow her nose.

"I feel he may well have had an ulterior motive in not telling you."

Penny moved back slightly to look up at his face, "YOU THINK SO! Sheldon he was f…" her rant was cut off by Sheldon placing his hand over her mouth.

"Yes Penny, I'm only too well aware of what you were doing thank you very much!"

Her head again dropped down against his arm, "I'm sorry Sheldon."

His phone started to buzz, " Ah' that will be Leonard," He moved Penny's head gently away from his arm before standing,

"Penny I have to go, but promise me you'll not do anything silly before my return,"

He looked down at her at the same time Penny lifted her head. Their eyes locked just for the merest moment, but in that moment they had a glimpse of something they both knew they had been waiting for.

"I'll be here when you get back Sheldon."