A/N Okay this is something different for me. I hope it isn't too bad. It is completely AU. I am once again borrowing these characters.

They set up shop in a small two room suite in a non-descript shopping mall. No one, including themselves, would have expected this is where they would be. Everyone would have assumed they would be finishing up college or going for their doctorates.

Their career path had been changed when they were both sophomores at Caltech studying physics. It was then that Sheldon Cooper solved the great Strawberry Mystery. One of the most beloved teachers at the University, Mrs. Hilda Hanson, had left a large jar of fresh strawberries in the cafeteria refrigerator.

To her horror, when she went to retrieve it, it had been stolen! She was beside herself. They had come from her very own garden, harvested with her own loving hands.

A cry went out and everyone sought out the foul perpetrator of the heinous deed.

Then, through an amazing display of detecting, Sheldon Cooper exposed the dastardly villain, Barry Kripke, who's name would go down in infamy.

When Sheldon, who had heretofore been extremely unpopular, suddenly found himself the center of adoration and love, he knew what he was destined for.

Realizing that every great detective needed a sidekick, he convinced his one real friend, Leonard Hofstadter, to join with him. Although at first reluctant, Leonard realized this would be a good way to stick it to his miserable mother who wanted him to join his brother and sister in academia.

Using money that Sheldon had inherited from his beloved Pop-Pop and a gift from Leonard's Uncle Floyd who was overjoyed to help stick it to his brother's stuck-up wife Beverly, they opened for business.

They had been in business for over a month before she walked through the door. Leonard Hofstadter was stricken from the first moment. She was a vision of loveliness and sexuality from her flowing blond hair to her undoubtedly beautiful feet.

His eyes traveled over her beautiful eyes, to her exquisite cheek bones, to her sensual mouth, to her elegant neck, over her proud firm breasts, her slender toned waist, her cute derriere, and her long-tapered legs. Did I mention the large, gorgeous breasts?

As Penny's eyes adjusted to the shade of the office from the bright sun outside, she found herself facing a short bespectacled man who was looking at her with a glazed look on his face. Although she was used to being ogled, this was different somehow. Oh, he was admiring her figure, but there was something more, a sense of adoration. She was surprised to find herself blushing. She had to admit, he was kind of cute.

When it became apparent he wasn't going to say anything, Penny finally said, "Hi, is this the Cooper Hofstadter Detective Agency?"

Her voice finally shook Leonard out of his shock and he stammered, "Yes, I am it, I mean we are it, that is, Yes"

Penny smiled fondly at him; he was just so adorable.

Leonard finally recovered his senses, "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I think I require the need of a detective."

Leonard was finally getting his head together, he realized this was it, their very first client. He turned and called out, "Sheldon, can you come out here?"

Sheldon emerged from the office, wondering what Leonard was yammering about now. As he exited, his eyes met those of the woman standing by the door, his eyes were blue, hers were green.

In spite of himself, Sheldon was stunned. Was this a client? He turned his head to Leonard and shook his head. Leonard was obviously entranced with her. Wouldn't he ever learn?

"Good morning, I am Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Master Detective. May I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Penny and I need someone to do something for me. I hoped you could help."

"Do you want to come into my office and discuss it?"

Leonard spoke up, "Since Sheldon has apparently forgotten to introduce me, I'm Leonard."

She smiled and nodded and followed Sheldon into his office. She had to smirk when she realized Leonard was right behind her.

Sheldon gave him a condescending look that was meant to tell him he should remain in the lobby.

Leonard ignored him and followed them in and sat in one of the seats in front of the desk.

Penny looked around the room which consisted of a desk and chair, two other chairs, and a file cabinet, none of which were very impressive. Then she noticed what appeared to be a diploma on the otherwise empty walls.

She walked over and read the following:

This is to Certify that Sheldon Cooper has successfully completed the required course of study and Wally's School of Detection proudly bestows him with a Doctorate in the field of Detectiveology.

Penny turned, a confused look on her face, "Detectiveology?"

Sheldon answered, "It is a new field of science. I have the honor of being the first to receive a doctorate."

Penny smiled as Leonard muttered, "And the only one."

She sat down next to Leonard, smirking to herself as she saw his eyes following her legs as she crossed them.

Sheldon spoke up, "Before we start, how did you come to find us?"

"You were the third entry on the third page of private detectives." She turned and smiled at Leonard, "Three is my lucky number."

Sheldon decided to carry on the tradition of Sherlock Holmes and said, "It is apparent that you work as a waitress and are an aspiring movie actress."

Leonard rolled his eyes, "Wow, Sherlock. She's wearing a Cheesecake Factory uniform and 90% if all blond girls in California want to be actresses."

He realized his mistake when she turned to glare at him, "So you think I am just another dumb blond who thinks she can act."

When he began to stammer and try to apologize, she smiled resignedly, "Okay, So I am an aspiring actress."

Sheldon, apparently having decided Leonard was there to stay, asked, "So what can I help you with?"

Leonard, who was not to be ignored, corrected, "We, Sheldon, I am part of this team."

Sheldon sighed, "How can WE help you?"

"I need someone to get my TV from my ex-boyfriend."

Sheldon just stared. Finally, he got out, "Is that all?"

Penny was a little angry, "Yes. What? Is it beneath you?"

Before Sheldon could speak, Leonard quickly spoke up, "Of course not, Sheldon just wanted to know if there was anything else involved."

It was obvious to Penny that was a big lie, but she found she kind of liked Leonard and wanted to spend time with him.

Leonard went on, "Perhaps my partner and I should confer. Could you give us a few moments?"

"All right, but make it quick."

After she left, Leonard turned to Sheldon, "What are you doing? Do you want to scare away our first and I have to say, only client?"

"This is not the reason I became a detective, to be an errand boy. To get involved in a romantic quarrel."

"Maybe not, but we have to start somewhere. Who knows, this could lead to more jobs."

"Oh, very well. But don't think you are fooling me. As usual, you are thinking with your penis."

Leonard ignored that, being thrilled they were going to be able to help her.

When Penny came back in, Sheldon asked her, "Why can't you retrieve it yourself?"

"I don't want to have to see him again. He cheated on with some slut and I know he will try to hit on me."

Leonard blurted out, "How could anyone be stupid enough to cheat on you? I mean, you're perfect."

Penny smiled at him as Sheldon rolled his eyes, "Oh, thank you, Sweetie."

Leonard smiled like the cat who drank the cream and Sheldon decided he had enough. "Now that we have all shared that moment, we need to cover some business. Our fee will be $100 an hour plus expenses."

Penny stared at him like he had at least two heads, "$100 an hour? What the Hell? There's no way I can afford that."

Leonard quickly interjected, ignoring Sheldon's glare, "I believe he meant $100 for the total job."

Penny was a little mollified, "Well, that's better but still too much. I was thinking like twenty bucks."

Seeing Sheldon was about to explode, Leonard hurried on, "75"

"30"

"50"

Penny considered, "Okay, fifty bucks."

With Sheldon struggling to breathe, she took out a checkbook and wrote them a check. She handed it to Leonard and purposely let their hands touch.

Knowing Sheldon was about to explode, Leonard quickly got the address, learned his name was Kurt Adams, accepted her spare key, found out where they needed to deliver the TV; then ushered Penny out.

When he returned Sheldon was standing, "Fifty dollars, Fifty dollars!"

"It's better than nothing. Just think of it, Sheldon, this is the first money we have earned. You have to start somewhere."

It took a while, but Sheldon finally settled down. Deciding to get it over with, they cashed the check; Sheldon wanting to be sure it didn't bounce, and headed for the address they had been given.

When they arrived at the apartment, the were faced with the task of getting inside. They quickly discovered this was not going to be as easy as they hoped when they buzzed his apartment and he informed them in colorful language that if Penny wanted her TV, she would have to beg him for it.

Surprisingly undaunted, Sheldon quickly buzzed every other apartment and was rewarded when they were allowed to enter. With a smug look on his face, "See, Leonard, I told you those classes would come in handy."

When Kurt answered the door, they realized Penny had failed to mention that he was as big as both of them put together. Their personal appearance at his door had the same result as when they buzzed him, with the added accompaniment of threatened violence.

Sheldon quickly informed Leonard that he had been against this from the start, that it was Leonard's schoolboy crush on Penny that had led to this humiliation.

Leonard paid no attention to him. There was no way that he was going to go back to Penny in failure. With Sheldon looking on in amazement, Leonard again knocked on the door.

When Kurt opened it, it was obvious his veneer of civility was wearing thin. "You are either the bravest or the stupidest pair I have ever met. I am voting for the stupid. Now get out of here before I do something you will regret."

As Sheldon stepped back, Leonard stood his ground and bravely said, "How about if we pay you for it?"

It was hard to say who was the most shocked, Sheldon or Kurt. Kurt finally smiled, "I kind of like that. You paying for her TV. How about hundred bucks?"

"20"

"75"

"40"

Kurt smiled, "Why not? I got to admit. You have got some balls. Okay forty bucks cash."

Leonard paid him out of the money they got from Penny and followed him inside. They were then confronted with another problem. It was not a portable and there was no way he and Sheldon with their lack of upper body strength would be able to carry it. He really didn't want to have to leave it to get someone to help them.

"Could you carry it out to our car?"

Kurt couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. When he finished, he smiled, "You know, I could get to like you. Sure, I'll carry if for you for another ten bucks."

Leonard resignedly gave him the last ten. When the TV was safely in the car, Kurt smiled, "It was good doing business with you, give my regards to Penny."

They had their first luck of the day when they got to Penny's apartment. They were able to convince a passerby to help them out. It didn't even cost them any more money.

With the TV safely in Penny's apartment, Sheldon turned to Leonard, "Well, I hope you have learned your lesson. We went through all this, the humiliation, the threat of bodily harm, and have nothing to show for it."

Leonard was so pleased that they had been able to come through for Penny that even Sheldon couldn't get him upset, "We did the job, Sheldon. We are working detectives."

Then, to Leonard's amazement, Sheldon started to pick up the apartment, "Sheldon, what are you doing? You can't do that."

"On the contrary, I have to do this. I would not be able to sleep tonight thinking of this mess."

Seeing he was not going to budge, Leonard started to help so they could finish faster.

Just as they finished the kitchen and living area, Penny came through the door. She saw them and the TV.

"You got it. Oh, thank you." She rushed over to Leonard and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled to herself seeing him blush.

She turned toward Sheldon but sensed a hug would not be welcome. But then she noticed the apartment. "What the Hell? What have you done? Who the hell did you think you are?"

Leonard quickly spoke up, "We just decided that while we were waiting, we would straighten up a little."

He managed a tepid smile, "Do you like it?"

She turned on him, ready to give him a piece of her mind. But when she saw how abject he looked, she took pity on him. "Okay, I admit it looks good. But it really is a little creepy."

"I understand. We will get out of your way now."

After Sheldon had gone through the door, muttering about getting no thanks for his efforts, Leonard turned back to Penny. He whispered, "Just be thankful Sheldon didn't have time to get to your bedroom."

Penny was surprised and then thinking of Sheldon sorting her underwear, cringed and nodded her head.

When they were in the hall, waiting for the elevator, Leonard looked back longingly at her door.

Sheldon sighed resignedly, "You're not done with her, are you?"