Flashback VI

On Wednesday, December 5—three days after Penny's birthday, and four days after he got her to begrudgingly accept the idea of him joining MARSOC—Sheldon was called into the commander's office.

"Sir, Staff Sergeant Sheldon Cooper reporting."

The commander smiled and gestured to an open seat, "Have a seat."

Sheldon sat and looked nervous, in 10 years of service he'd never been summoned privately before, his reputation and work ethic were spotless in the Corps as evidenced by the Good Conduct ribbon and so far, two bronze stars he had on his chest.

"Relax a bit, Staff Sergeant," the commander smiled as he sat back in his chair, "You look tense. This is actually good news."

Sheldon sat up and relaxed, he was expecting the OCS admittance. But unlike a lot of things in his life he was definitely not expecting what the commander said next.

"Your presence has been requested in Washington by Friday at noon local time. You may bring along a guest."

Sheldon was now confused, "Sir?"

"Your actions on April 13, 2007—Friday the 13th, of all days—have been reviewed by the Department of Defense and verified by 30 eyewitnesses who provided sworn statements to said actions. The request from Corporal Atwater was reviewed after you left Iraq in mid-May, and statements were taken throughout the summer and into October. The Pentagon finally got around to reviewing it in November and the president signed off on it last week. Congratulations, Staff Sergeant on the Medal of Honor," the commander stood and saluted him.

Sheldon sat stunned, but eventually snapped out of it and saluted back.

Penny was excited, okay sure, she didn't vote for the current president but still to be able to go to the White House and see her husband being honoured for his bravery with the Medal of Honor, she was super pumped. She told work she wouldn't be able to help with Thursday or Friday shows because her husband was being honoured at the White House, her boss didn't believe her until she showed him their invitation that Thursday morning before they left.

At noon, Penny and Sheldon were heading out the lobby doors with suitcases when they ran into Leonard coming home with his arm wrapped in a bandage that they can see ate through his jacket.

"Hey, guys, going somewhere?"

"Washington, I have some business there," Sheldon answered. "You okay?" Penny asked pointing to his arm.

Leonard looks at it, "Oh yeah, just a chemical burn no big deal," he waved it off. Hoping she would see his macho side and be impressed instead Penny just commiserated about a ruined jacket, and then the pair left. Leonard didn't see either until Sunday. He had hoped with Sheldon leaving,

Penny would be up for some company—his—he didn't know she was going with Sheldon too.

They arrived at the White House in a black Lincoln Town Car, Sheldon was in his dress blues with full medals, he looked so hot, Penny thought to herself. God, if she wasn't already married to him. She meanwhile wore a white bodycon midi dress with a deep V-neckline, darted bodice, and fitted three-quarter sleeves. The skirt with its back kick-pleat has a chic and sophisticated look. It was a dress she was saving for a special occasion. She also wore the honey-coloured Burberry drawcord detailed cotton gabardine car coat her parents gave her as a graduation present in May. She paired the outfit with white stiletto heels. She wanted to look good for her man, and while she was at the White House.

They were led from the car, through the North Entrance, and into the Green Room where Penny was surprised to see a few people milling about, she thought it was just going to be a small, private ceremony. Truth be told, she knows nothing about what exactly Sheldon did to earn the Medal of Honor—her husband doesn't like to talk about his work—but she thinks she is about to find out.

Penny meets the Commandant of the Marine Corps; First Sergeant Oliver W. Peyton, Sheldon's CO in Iraq; and a few of his fellow squad mates from his second stint there including Specialist Keith B. Atwater, who nominated him.

A few minutes before noon, they were ushered out of the Green Room and into the East Room where Penny saw a stage with a podium with the Presidential Seal and more than a few dozen chairs and people already in their seats. And press. They were led to the front row with Penny seated to Sheldon's left while he took the corner seat. Sheldon was then instructed that when told to come up he should stand, walk to the left, and up to the president standing over his right shoulder facing the crowd.

At 12:01, Penny heard "Hail to the Chief" and the audience stood as the president walked in. He stopped briefly to shake Sheldon's hand and hers before continuing his way up to the podium.

Once he was settled on stage, he motioned them to sit, and they sat.

"Good afternoon, it is wonderful to see so many people here and able to be here to honour a great American. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Sheldon Cooper," there was a round of applause. The president began again, "It gives me great pride to welcome Staff Sergeant Cooper, a fellow Texan to the White House and it is my great privilege to bestow upon him the Medal of Honor. Please," he signalled to Sheldon to come up. Sheldon stood and walked up and as told, turned and stood at attention over the president's right shoulder.

The president looked back and smiled at him, "Staff Sergeant Cooper's actions on April 13, 2007, was exactly what the Medal of Honor was made to commemorate. When I read about Staff Sergeant Cooper's exploits I thought, if the Marines had a few more of his calibre, there would be no need for war. But I believe, no one can tell why Staff Sergeant Cooper deserves this honour more than the man that nominated him, please welcome Army Specialist Keith Atwater."

Specialist Atwater stood and walked up the stage, shaking the president's hand before the president stepped back and ceded him the podium.

"Thank you, Mr. President. I'm here today to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to a man that embodies the United States Marine Corps, whose service and commitment to honour and duty go far beyond what I believe one person is capable of. I think it's fitting that his first name starts with an 'S' because underneath all those medals and that crisp uniform is a big red 'S', not for Sheldon but for Superman because on that day he was. Staff Sergeant Cooper was not meant to be part of the operation in Baqubah. However, we had raked up a number of casualties within our

squadron leading up to the operation, and we needed a tactical and offensive leader, the fact that Staff Sergeant Cooper was highly trained in all of these areas made him the CO's first request in Baqubah. We parachuted in under nightfall on Chinook helicopters and mounted an aerial assault into the city, we encountered little resistance. For the next 12 hours, Staff Sergeant Cooper took up observation with an M40 sniper rifle, I didn't know what he was looking for since the objective was pretty simple, take the city. Over the next week, I saw Staff Sergeant Cooper clear a path through the city streets that made me wonder just how one person could be so effective. Within a month, he and a small recon team had pushed mortars out of the effective range of coalition troops. There were daily PA announcements of "qanaas" in whatever sector of the city he and the recon team were occupying. Then on the day in question, I'll never understand how one man can do all that he did and yet come out of it unscathed. By then he was a marked and wanted man, the insurgents had offered a $75,000 bounty for him dead or alive. Staff Sergeant Cooper remarked once after hearing about the price on his head, 'I'm not even worth an even 100, that's insulting.'" The gathered crowd chuckled. "A suicide bomber had breached our platoon's flank and was walking toward us reciting passages from the Quran. We all yelled at Staff Sergeant Cooper to take him out but Staff Sergeant Cooper wouldn't because the bomb wasn't attached to him but to a six- year-old boy on his back. He said he wasn't going to kill an innocent child. What happened next was done at light speed, Staff Sergeant Cooper swapped his M40 for an M16 and raced toward the man, bayonet at the ready. By exposing himself to the man he made himself vulnerable to insurgent fire. But it was like Staff Sergeant Cooper was Neo from The Matrix or something because he dodged all of it en route to the suicide bomber while we saw at least six enemy combatants fall from their firing positions. He reached the suicide bomber and started to struggle with him in freeing the child. They circled each other several times and every time Staff Sergeant Cooper lunged at him, he would turn to present the child and the bomb to Staff Sergeant Cooper, stopping his progress. Then like something out of a Bruce Lee movie, Staff Sergeant Cooper backed off, put down his rifle and let the man advance one step before sweeping his leg knocking him and the child down but also inadvertently starting the bomb's two-minute countdown because of the force of impact. The man was out cold having hit his head on a stone block. Staff Sergeant Cooper yelled for one of us to come and detain him, I went taking the same path Staff Sergeant Cooper had toward the man. Staff Sergeant Cooper then cut the boy free of the bomb and told him to run toward us with his hands in the air yelling 'light'—our clearing word for the battle. He then set to defuse the homemade bomb. I only know this because I saw him run as far as he could with it, then set the bomb down and used the bayonet to disable it which he did with 24 seconds to spare. I didn't know Staff Sergeant Cooper was a doctor or that he studied physics until after the engagement was over that night, but I was sure glad we had a doctor on site that day or else myself, 30 other soldiers and that little boy would have been dead. We later found the boy's family after using a translator, and we found out later after the boy was reunited with his family that the man was an uncle who was hoping to use the money to pay off his gambling debts. Staff Sergeant Cooper, that day not only put his life at risk to save an entire platoon but to save an unknown innocent child caught up in a war. I truly believe he singlehandedly shortened the duration of that campaign to take Baqubah, by simply being there in the first place. The Marines are a dedicated bunch, God knows we need 'em, but that day and really for the remainder of his stay with the 5-20, Staff Sergeant Cooper showed a dedication to getting the job done and to get all men home that I've seen few exhibit, and for that, I thank him and salute him. Thank you very much."

The audience who had been sitting there in rapt silence applauded, as Specialist Atwater took his leave and the president retook the podium. The president then asked Sheldon to step forward, and he did. The Commandant of the Marine Corps then stood in front of them and opened a wooden box containing the medal.

"Staff Sergeant Sheldon Lee Cooper, it is my esteemed pleasure to bestow upon you in the name of the United States Congress, a medal of honour for distinguishing yourself conspicuously with

gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on behalf of a grateful nation." The president declared as he took the medal presented from its box and attached it around Sheldon's neck to uproarious applause. As the press took pictures.

Once in place Sheldon shook the president's hand, to even more camera flashes and took the podium as the audience quieted. "Thank you, Mr. President. I will admit that as heroic as Specialist Atwater made me out to be, I feared for my life that day. I was simply doing my job and upholding a vow I took when I enlisted. And that is to ensure all that go into battle with me, return. I had to return, I had a wedding to get to," He looked down and smiled at Penny, "My grandfather liberated France in World War II as an enlisted Marine, and my father did multiple tours of Vietnam as an enlisted Marine, a small part of me wishes they could see me now—especially my dad—they wouldn't believe the scrawny kid that tried to build a death ray like on the Death Star from Star Wars out of a discarded satellite dish, a broken microwave, and iron coils wrapped in aluminium foil was now a Medal of Honor recipient," the audience laughed, "I will cherish this, however, because it is in service to the country I love and continue to serve. Thank you."

After more applause, more pictures, and handshakes; the ceremony was over and Penny and Sheldon were given a private tour of the White House. When they got to the West Wing the president invited them into the Oval Office for a private chat with the first lady. That was an experience neither will soon forget.

***

After leaving the White House, Penny and Sheldon decided to walk along the National Mall together, there was some rain but they had packed and remembered to bring the large umbrella. Because of the rain, the National Mall was mostly empty.

"I can't believe you did all that, and that was what, six months after getting shot in the shoulder?" She asked rhetorically. "You could've died before we ever got together, is that why you don't like talking about work?"

"Do you really want me to? Do you want me to detail how I risked my life and killed or wounded people? Would that make you feel better?"

Penny shook her head, "No, I guess not," She leaned up and kissed him. When they broke, she chuckled. "You know I could make a movie about my life up until this point and nobody would believe me. The pretty tomboy farm girl who falls for the super smart Marine who saved his best friend with a bayonet and water; got shot rescuing another, and willed himself back onto the battlefield only to save a child and a platoon of soldiers from a suicide bomber while killing a half dozen enemies, then goes and defuses a bomb in less than two minutes. Then returns home and surprises his fiancée, like no big deal and they marry a month later. That's a story even Hollywood couldn't think up."

Sheldon chuckled, "They might not believe you, but they'd sure as hell go see it if you cast it right."

Penny thought for a moment, "Who do you want to play you?" "Tom Hanks."

"He's too old, try again."

"All right, if he can do a proper Southern Texas drawl then Tom Hardy. He's about my age."

"And who would you get to play me?"

Sheldon thought long before answering, "I don't know, maybe Hilary Duff." Penny snorts with laughter, "You'd get Lizzie McGuire to play me?"

"Did I just walk into a trap?"

"No… but at least now I know for sure you like blondes." She laughed.

When they reach the Washington Monument, Penny pauses, looks at the monument then her husband, then leans up, and whispers, "I think you're still bigger."

Sheldon's surprise admonishment of her made her laugh.

"What? You constantly put yourself in danger so, if I don't laugh I'm gonna cry and I don't want to start buying Kleenex in bulk."

Sheldon sees her point, and pulls her closer to him, "Fair enough." As they walk up the Westside of the Reflecting Pool towards the Lincoln Memorial, Sheldon quips sardonically, "I suppose this would be a bad time to mention that by virtue of the Medal of Honor, I'm now eligible for interment at Arlington."

Penny looks up at her husband, disbelieving, "God, you're such a, a…," she struggles with her words and her annoyed facial expression because a smile is threatening to make an appearance.

Sheldon smirks, "Come on Penny, say it, you know you want to," he goads. "You're such an idiot!" She yells in his face with a smile on hers.

Sheldon smiles, "Maybe, but I'm your idiot," he says then leans down and kisses her.

On Sunday night, Penny and Sheldon returned from Washington and Leonard was eager to welcome them home. He saw the press release online on Friday from CNN, 'White House honours Marine with Medal of Honor'. He knows now what Sheldon could provide him, social currency if he could befriend him.

Leonard didn't know when the pair would be back so he prepared and hung a paper 'Congratulations' banner across their door since he read the news article. When he heard footsteps and the clang of suitcases on the landing he knew they were home.

He opened his door and yelled, "Congratulations!" Much to the pair's confused expressions. Penny looked at the banner, "Did you do this?" She pointed to the paper sign.

Leonard nodded proudly, smiling. Sheldon frowned and tore it down. Leonard's smile dropped immediately. Sheldon crumpled up the sign, walked over, and thrust it into Leonard's chest.

"Wha…" Leonard looked confused now, at Sheldon's sudden angry reaction.

"We've been living here for months, and in that time you've stolen our mail, tried to make passes at my wife, ignored an olive branch extended by my mother-in-law, and have generally been closed off. And then miraculously, on the weekend that you read, I assume, I have been bestowed the Medal of Honor you suddenly want to be friends? Why? Why else would you make such a blatant 'Here he is' sign?" Sheldon gestured to Leonard's chest and waited.

"Um…"

"Let me take a wild guess, you were hoping that if I were to somehow befriend you that would lend you some social mobility by association because I'm now a hero, and chicks dig heroes or even friends of heroes, right?" Sheldon crossed his arms over his chest.

"Um… uh…"

"Let's get one thing clear, Hofstadter, I didn't do what I did so I could get that medal. I did it because a crazed maniac was threatening my life and those around him, including those under my command. I did what I did so that I and others could live another day. To survive. Not so that I could be given a medal and suddenly have some creepy, little dork next door glom onto me like a fanboy. My job involves life and death, it is serious. If I'm not, I or people I know and trust die. So you can take your stupid sign and shove it up your ass because there is no way in hell I am going to help someone who isn't even willing to try. I know you haven't changed your mind about being friendly, you don't even like or know one damn thing about me, you just want to use me. And I'm sorry but those days are long gone." Sheldon turned, picked up his suitcase and walked inside 4A.

Penny stood there looking at the frightened face and shaky legs of their neighbour and shook her head in disappointment. She had to agree with Sheldon; Leonard's timing, the way with which he went about it, and his lack of answers couldn't have been worse. Even if he was genuine, which even she knew he wasn't. He never showed any sign—other than this one—that he was truly neighbourly. She headed inside 4A too without saying a word.

Once the door to 4A closed, Leonard fell to his knees. Holy shit… he'd gladly trade the tirade he just received for an atomic wedgie or all the swirlies he'd ever endured. A Marine yelling at you is one thing, when a Marine is yelling at you with inarguable facts it is game over.

Monday at lunch, Michael told his friend with a smile, "What did I tell you back on Parris Island, huh?"

Sheldon smiled.

"Just call me Nostradamus," Michael smirked.

Sheldon rolled his eyes at his best friend's theatrics, but he was happy that the two of them would be on their way to getting commissions. The CO had called them in earlier and after congratulating Sheldon again on the MOH, gave them their OCS letters.

"But back on topic though," Michael said, "Did you really come home to a 'Congratulations' sign on your door made and put up by that guy in 4B?"

"Yeah…" Sheldon sighed, "He kinda ruined what was a pretty nice weekend, to be honest. I mean I get, getting congratulations from you, the CO, or salutes from passing service members. But not from this guy who basically admitted to trying to make a play for Penny, however, inane that was by stealing our mail when we first met him. I don't even want to think about what he's said about me behind my back, and then, suddenly he wants to be friends, the hell?"

Michael nodded. "Maybe me and a few of the guys should make our opinions known, you know scare the daylights out of him, because obviously, he has no respect for who we are or what we do. He probably thinks war is a game."

"I don't think it needs to come to that… yet. The bigger focus is in North Carolina, then Virginia," Sheldon placates.

"True."

"By the way, are you still sleeping in the guest bedroom?"

Michael chuckles, Michael told Sheldon that Valerie banished him to the guest bedroom after a long talk, with no sex. She eventually, like Penny begrudgingly accepted his role but, still had yet to welcome him back, at least when he and Sheldon last spoke. "No, I'm officially out of the doghouse. I've been in bed with the wife since Saturday."

"That's good. Your wife sure can hold a grudge." Sheldon empathised.

"Says the man whose wife spent six months pissed at mine for being cheer captain," Michael reminded.

"Touché."

Flashback

March 2005

Penny couldn't wait for her last class on Friday to end, it was the last Friday before Spring Break and she couldn't wait to get down to Texas. She and Sheldon had become regular email buddies after a date the following day after they met.

It was on that date that Penny understood the concept of courtship. Because here was a man that was so unlike any that she had ever met. He met her at her dorm room with coffee and flowers— not just any flowers but her favourite, carnations—she can't believe he remembered that. He chatted amicably with Valerie as she got ready and then they were off. Once in his truck, she asked him where they were going and he told her simply because this was his first time in Nebraska, he "needed a tour guide". She, of course, didn't buy that for a single minute, this guy has been to places she has only read about and yet he needs a tour guide for Nebraska, yeah right. But she played along and agreed to be his as she sipped her coffee, made exactly how she liked it—how did he know?

They had lunch at one of the restaurants at The Railyard. Over lunch, Penny found out Sheldon's weakness or his kryptonite as he put it, German Chocolate Cake, which the restaurant had. Penny giggled at Sheldon's giddy expression as they waited for dessert and he told her why.

"I went to Germany at 13 to start my doctoral education, I had finished all I needed to at Rice so there was no reason to stay. Anyway, I was initially put up by a very nice elderly couple, who reminded me of my Meemaw and Pop-Pop—er… my grandmother and grandfather. They were bakers by trade and for the next six months, I practically gorged on German Chocolate Cake nightly. I found this to be quite funny and sweet because German Chocolate Cake isn't actually German in origin but Texan, so they were trying to make me feel at home while I was so far away. I've had a weak spot for it ever since."

She laughed.

When dessert came he cut the cake and gave her the biggest piece. When she asked him why he did that he blushed and said, "Because I want you to enjoy the biggest part of my guilty little pleasure." Penny was touched. No guy ever thought of her first; on the first date or the last.

After lunch, they strolled along The Railyard's public market and Penny never knew she could

have so much fun shopping for fruit. Sheldon let her drag him to different stalls and booths and he pointed out interesting facts about things she picked up; when she picked up a Granny Smith apple, he told her there are so many kinds of apples, that if you ate a new one every day, it would take over 20 years to try them all. Even the grocer was shocked and impressed by this and gave them two for free because of that interesting fact. They thanked him and went along the way snacking on the juiciest apples either had ever had. They reached a strawberry cart and Penny was looking at them when Sheldon told her, "The 'seeds' on the strawberries are the actual fruit of the plant. The red swelling of the strawberry is not." This time the owner of the strawberry cart stopped and asked, "Are you a strawberry farmer because that's true."

Sheldon shook his head, "No sir, United States Marine."

The cart owner's expression softened and he nodded, "I have a son in Iraq right now, US Army. Thank you for your service."

Sheldon nodded his thanks as Penny bought a scoopful and the grocer thanked the pair.

As they continued walking along, Penny feeds him a strawberry. Sheldon does the same until the strawberries were gone. She blushed the first time he did it. Penny had to mentally slap herself and tell herself to get a grip because it was such an intimate thing to do out in public and he wasn't making dirty jokes or rude suggestions just enjoying her company and the strawberries. So this is what maturity looks like, go figure that she had to go find a Marine to see it.

After the market, Pioneers Park Nature Center was up next. They walked along the trails and prairie areas with Sheldon telling her of growing up in Texas. They saw a few bison, elk, and deer, and Penny told him about competing in Junior Rodeo and growing up on a farm.

As they continue to hike the trails, Penny's mind begins to analyse. She had been out with this guy for only a few hours and only met him yesterday, so why does she feel like they've always been together? Is it because instead of her looks he was just interested in her? Is it because she feels safe with him? Is it because he talks to her like she's a person rather than just a pretty face—no lame come on's, no suggestive invites to 'go have some fun'. Whatever it is Penny knows she is falling quickly for her Sheldon—when did she start referring to him as hers? She knows she better do something quick to seal the deal. He was hers now and she'll be damned if she let some other girl come between them. She inwardly groaned and told herself to get a grip again. Then, as he had been doing all date long, Sheldon surprises her, by taking her hand in his; entwining them. She looked up at him with a wide grin. She hadn't just held hands with a boy since she was 15. It honestly felt nice.

Later they had dinner at Penny's favourite restaurant, Vincenzo's. She and Sheldon shared a plate of calamari and stuffed crab mushrooms before feeding each other bites of their salmon Ala Vincenzo's and chicken piccata, respectively. After that, they went for ice cream at the UNL Dairy Store. They ended the date by walking around campus and ended it with the sweetest most innocent kiss to her cheek she ever received from a boy, she never felt so school girly before.

That night Val asked for all the details and Penny couldn't help going on about how this man treated her like a lady, how sweet he was, how smart he was, how she felt safe in his arms, how possessive she became when she realised that all the jerks and boys she dated before were assholes compared to Sheldon. Valerie smirked and asked her when the wedding was, Penny blushed and threw a cushion at her.

Over the next few weeks, she got to know Sheldon through email and long phone calls on the weekends. She felt like she was in deep; Penny had never been in love before and it was crazy since she's only been out with the guy once but she knew he was it. There was no going back for

her.

When her last class on Friday finally let out, Penny rushed out and up to her dorm, she grabbed her duffel and backpack and told Val to say 'hi' to Michael and Val's parents for her and she'll see her next Sunday. Penny loaded her stuff into her car and drove back to Omaha to see her parents and allow her dad to drop her off at the airport.

Wyatt had never seen his little girl so excited to see a boy before, and normally that would've worried him, but he had met Penny's latest suitor and he had to admit, this boy was head and shoulders above all of them. He was Michael's best friend and a fellow military man. Wyatt approved instantly. Especially since the boy made it a point to come and introduce himself the day after he had his first date with Penny. No boy Penny ever dated was that courteous. He spent a few hours helping Wyatt on the farm too, telling him that this reminds him of his grandfather's old cattle farm. If Wyatt wasn't sold then, the look of excitement on his youngest daughter's face now sure convinced him. One date and his little slugger, is bouncing off the walls waiting to be with her guy again. That sort of reminds Wyatt of Susan when they were younger. But more than that Penny told her parents that she decided to switch concentrations from acting to production because it was more stable, Wyatt has no doubt her new beau is responsible for that change. Since meeting the boy, Penny has been happier, and more communicative—she's talked to her mom every weekend, she hadn't done that since she was in middle school. Wyatt only hopes that his daughter finds what she's looking for because God knows of his three kids Penny has always been his favourite. She tried to pick up the slack when Randy got busted the first time and started to play catch with him, then later she joined Junior Rodeo; he knows she was doing it because she wanted him to be happy and proud of her. He was. He is. Because despite a seemingly endless line of idiot boyfriends in high school, his little girl never got knocked up and is the only one of his kids to go and apply to and enrol at Nebraska. Now she is involved with a Marine, he couldn't be happier. "Have a good time sweetie, but not too good of a time, you get me?" He told her with a wink when he dropped her off at the airport. She blushed but said she will and goodbye.

Finally, she touched down in Houston, she waited for her duffel, walked out of baggage claim, and walked out of the gate. She was maybe 20 yards when she saw him waiting against a pillar in a Texas Longhorns t-shirt, a black work jacket, and blue jeans. God, he looked hot.

"Sheldon!" She called his name then ran toward him, grinning, dropping her duffel the last few feet and jumped into his arms, kissing him. Their first. It was incredible. She felt instant sparks, she knows he did too by the way he kissed her back. When they finally separated she blushed, "Sorry… I got carried away."

"Yeah, literally. I'm carrying you in my arms right now," he joked, her blush deepened. But then she thought, in for a penny… and kissed him again. When they broke away the second time and he set her down he gave her a hug.

"I missed you, Penny," he told her as they went over and collected her dropped duffel. Penny agreed, "Me too. Email and phone calls aren't the same."

They got into his truck and drove down to Galveston. On the way, Sheldon asked her about how her semester was going; they talked about her family's soybean farm—Penny had been surprised when her mom mentioned that Sheldon came to see them after their date; they talked about an upcoming training Sheldon was going to, to prepare for his next deployment; and they talked about what they were going to do for the rest of the week. Penny couldn't care less as long as she was with Sheldon.

When they got to his mother's house, Sheldon stopped her.

"Penny, before we go in," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I would like your answer to somethin'—" His southern drawl made her feel warm. "We've only been on one date but, we've communicated extensively since, so… what do you say to bein' my girlfriend?" He asked softly.

She grinned. "I was hoping you'd ask at the airport, but now's good too," she cupped his cheek, stood on her tip-toes and kissed him.

"I-is that a 'yes'?" He asked rather dazed, he'd kissed Penny more times in the last hour than any other girl in his entire life.

"That's a you bet your cute little Texas butt, I'll be your girlfriend," She said feeling quite sassy and playful now.

"Oh… good." Penny just laughed at his deer-in-the-headlights expression. This is a guy who'll charge into a war zone without a second thought, but talking to a girl makes him nervous. She couldn't figure out what endeared him to her more, his maturity or his sense of propriety or his bouts of innocence.

Over the next week, she realised just how much of a goner she was. She spoke with his twin sister

—who looked nothing like him—and confessed that she was pretty sure Sheldon is it for her. Because she never felt this way about anyone ever and she doesn't want that feeling to go away. That was when Missy told her that she was the only girl that he ever brought home, that when he came home from Germany he admitted to losing his virginity to a girl there but the family had never met her. She understood then why he was so nervous when they first arrived. Talking to Sheldon's mom was… an experience. The woman was equal parts warm and intimidating, like she wanted to make sure that Penny would never hurt her 'baby boy' or else she'd unleash the wrath of God on her. But when Penny made it clear she had nothing but good intentions, Mary hugged her and 'praised the good Lord that her baby had finally found a good woman'. It was exhausting.

Talking to Sheldon's grandmother or Meemaw as she preferred to be called, was like talking to her own who passed away a few years ago. The woman was a delight. She told Penny simply, "My Moonpie knows a lot and will go after what he wants even if it scares the daylights out of him— joining the Marines was proof of that—and darlin' if he wants you, so long as you don't hurt him, you got my blessing." Penny was amused and asked why she called Sheldon 'Moonpie', to which the woman laughed and responded, "Because he's so nummy-nummy and I could just eat him up." Penny laughed, but thought, Yeah, I could too.

***

She saw him the next morning and greeted him with a kiss and a "Good morning, Moonpie." Which caused him to stop buttering his toast, mid-spread.

"What did you just call me?" He narrowed his eyes. She grinned, "Moonpie."

"Penny, only Meemaw calls me Moonpie," he admonished.

She pouted playfully, "What and your new girlfriend can't? That's hardly fair. I know why she calls you that and I could so do what she wants to," Penny smirks, "In fact, I'm counting on it."

Sheldon swallows hard, why can't he say no to this woman? "Fine, you may call me that but only in private or around family." He eventually relents.

Penny grins, "You got yourself a deal, Moonpie!"

Sheldon shakes his head and goes back to buttering his toast, "Why do I feel like I just made a horrible miscalculation, like Custer at Little Bighorn?"

Penny laughed having heard him and kissed him on the cheek before getting her own breakfast.