Penny stifled a sob, burying her face in the sofa cushion. She cried heartbreakingly. She did not understand why her life had to be a meaningless complete chaos. She cried because she had hurt Leonard the whole time, being his girlfriend without being truly in love with him. - "Really, am I not in love with him?" - She asked herself. - "Then why does it hurt so much his hurt?". Well, maybe she did. Yes, she loved him. She did not want anything bad happens to him, in fact, she wanted the best for him. But ... despite those feelings, she also felt that her heart never really belonged to young experimental physicist. She had never felt butterflies in stomach when he kissed her. Neither chills... or anything else. She felt that even kissing Raj or Howard could make feel more than kissing Leonard.

She released another heartbreaking sob at the thought. And worst of all, she also knew that they were on Leonard's side. She was the bad person, who had hurt the poor and innocent physicist, who had broken up with him, breaking his heart. Even Amy, who had always proclaimed that she was her best friend, now had turned her back on her. Tears kept flowing from her reddened eyes while crying hiccups seemed to choke her.

- Knock, knock, knock ... Penny...

She let out a gasp and looked up. Did she hear wrong? She swallowed. No, it could not be...

- Knock, knock, knock ... Penny...

No, she didn't hear wrong. She blinked puzzled. Everyone shunned her and ... Sheldon was knocking at her door? Like if nothing had happened? Like if he didn't know like everyone what had happened to his best friend and roommate? Of all the gang, theoretical physicist must be the angrier with her for hurting Leonard, especially after having warned her not to do it. How was it possible that he was knocking at her door?

- Knock, knock, knock ... Penny ...

The girl stood up and tried to calm her sobs. She wiped her eyes as she could with her hands. She gripped the doorknob, took a deep breath and opened. The young woman tried to control her awful mood in front of his old friend, but even Sheldon could feel how she was. The young physicist looked at her, swallowing hard.

- Hello ... Penny.

She bit back tears hardly and finally dared to look at him. Sheldon was staring with incomprehension and his usual panic for social situations which he could never understand. But there was no anger in his blue eyes. That made that her pain low down a bit. Yes, Sheldon was still being him and, without knowing why, this gave her such a relief that she was about to let out another sob. Great, lately she was like a leaky faucet. She didn't know why, but Penny had the feeling that she could endure the bitterness and anger of all except Sheldon. If the young physicist had come here to curse her for her behavior with Leonard, she would have broken to mourn like a girl. Penny leaned her head on the door. Sheldon looked away, somewhat embarrassed.

- Are you ... okay?

- What do you think, Sheldon?

That question rattled the right eye of the young physicist.

- You know that I am not very good at guessing these things.

Penny sighed sadly.

- Are you here just to ask me this? - Said, somewhat incredulously.

The young physicist twitched.

- Yes ... Let's say ... I was curious to know how you were emotionally after...

He stopped immediately to see her green eyes on him.

- Sheldon, since when do you care about mood of others? - asked, almost angrily. - You don't need to do this just because you think it is a "non-optional social convention" - concluded, turning to close the door again. The young physicist managed to stop her, resting a hand on her door.

- Why not? - he asked her.

Penny almost snorted impatiently.

- Because normal people when ask "How are you?" they do it because they want to hear the answer and provide a comfort "real" and not due to... your motives, which are as... absolutely crazy as you.

Sheldon looked down, as if what she had said had affected him somehow. The girl suddenly felt very bad. She tried to apologize to him, the only one who, though crazy, asked her how she was. But he spoke before.

- I really want to know how you are, Penny. - said, staring at her, something vulnerable.

She blinked. She could not help feeling that all her sadness and frustration seemed to disappear at his words. She gave him a sad smile.

- Forgive me, honey. Sorry. It's just... I'm not going through my best. And ... Really you do not have to be here. –tears threatened her vocal cords. - No... I don't deserve that you be here...

She could no longer contain that pain, which again rose in her throat, choking her. Penny broke mourn again, helplessly longer. Sheldon stood frozen in his place, completely motionless, transfixed, as the girl burst into tears in front of him. The young physicist felt that every tear, every sob, fell upon him like a sharp dagger. He swallowed, trying to regain his usual seriousness, their iron will, his coldness and detachment. But for first time in his life, he couldn't. Penny's pain was stronger than him and overcame him hopelessly. He clenched teeth, trying to force his brain to think rationally, but in vain. What was happening? Why he felt so bad seeing her suffer? Why he was starting to feel like breaking to mourn? Why his chest hurt in such a weird way? Why he could not talk? Why suddenly he wanted to return to his apartment to punch to Leonard? Sheldon tightened teeth. It was assumed that Leonard was very wrong. After all, it was he who had been left by Penny. However, Sheldon hadn't seen on him even a tenth of what she was suffering. She was drowning in her own tears, but still could not stop. Her sobs passed through him. Sheldon could not take it anymore. He approached her and hugged her gently, without hesitation. Penny let out a gasp, feeling suddenly a warm chest next to her aching head and two arms placed around her with a surprising delicacy...

- Shel ...

- Shhhhhh ... - he silenced her in a whisper.

She felt a strange chill. She had never been so close to him. But she felt so extraordinarily comfortable that she forgot the thought of this situation was completely abnormal. Sheldon's chest's warmth was intoxicating. She rested her head and cheek on his Batman T-shirt. The girl felt the heartbeat powerful and his distinctive and delicious fragrance, a blend of soothing smell, masculine cologne and books. The sobs were decreasing in intensity, while the young physicist was holding her, supporting his chin gently in her head. Finally, Penny stopped her weeping, exhausted and trembling. Sheldon moved gently, trying to separate a little to see if the girl was some better, but Penny grabbed him tightly, searching refuge in his chest.

- Please ... - she gasped. - Don't go...

The young physicist swallowed. Actually ... he didn't want to do it. The young waitress was still shaking. He hugged her again, and his hand stroked the golden hair. It smelled like vanilla. Sheldon moved his hand away, as if his brain finally realized what he was doing. Tics began to unleash on his face, but she was still hurt, looking for his refuge and consolation. The young physicist closed his eyes for a moment, gathering the required value. He tilted his head gently.

- Are you ... better? - asked.

- Yes ... - said the girl, her voice broken yet. - But don't go.

Sheldon suppressed a sigh, but continued holding her. They were stood, and in a position in which he held the girl in a way not too comfortable. The young physicist looked at the couch like his saving table. If they sat down, perhaps Penny could accommodate herself on the couch, rather than on him. He returned to tilt the head.

- Do you mind if... we adopt a healthier position for our lumbar and dorsal vertebrae?

The girl shook her head slightly. Sheldon interpreted her gesture as she didn't dislike the idea and gently led her to the couch. They sat, but Penny didn't want to lean on the sofa. She just sought for the most suitable position to lean back against his chest. The young physicist felt the twitch in his eye, but he could not say anything. The girl slowly stopped shaking and relaxed completely. Listening to the heart of Sheldon was more comforting than a yoga or tai-chi. The beat was hypnotic and perfect. She put her hand on his sternum, wanting to feel more the pounding. Automatically his heart started beating harder under her hands. Suddenly, she seemed to realize of what was happening, as if she was awakened from a deep sleep. She separated from Sheldon abruptly, suddenly feeling terribly embarrassed. The young physicist was trying to control his runaway breathing without understanding anything at all that was happening. Penny looked at him.

- I ... I'm sorry, honey. Forgive me. I know you don't like anything physical contact. I'm really sorry.

- No ... do not worry, Penny. - the physicist looked down, trying to control that inscrutable mystery which made him suddenly so shy as Raj. He made a superhuman effort and looked again. - It's ok... And I'm glad to check that you're better.

They stared to one another. Penny could not take her eyes off him, his best friend, the person who was always there, who accepted her as she was, who considered her valuable in herself, despite being so different from him. Who was able to overcome his germofobia for hug her as beautifully as nobody had done. She smiled helplessly, seeing his clear blue eyes that revealed so much genius as sincerity. And suddenly, she found herself wondering why not pay attention on guys like Sheldon and forget all those who always broke her heart, in one or another way. She froze at her thoughts. No, Sheldon would never break her heart. In some inexplicable way, she knew it. She reached out and stroked his cheek sadly.

- Thank you Moonpie...

He felt he was dying a little due to the soft caress. He took her hand and pulled away gently, but not released her.

- No one calls me Moonpie but Meemaw... - said with a voice so soft that did not fit anything at all with his words.

She giggled and turned back to rest on his chest, hugging him. Sheldon swallowed, but said nothing. He simply returned the hug, while he wondered why was so easy to hug her and so difficult to hug Amy.