So, helloooooo again! 1000 apologies my dahlings, I'm sorry it took so long for me to update. My muses were on hold for this story, I had some trouble getting to where I am going. But I have not by any means abandoned this!

I do hope you all don't hate me, but this is what I have so far and I am still working on the rest, but there is enough plot in this section to warrant another chapter and so here you go!

There will be about three more chapters to this once I get the juices flowing!

To all those who have reviewed and put on alert...I love you all soooo freakin much, smooches and love!

Disclaimer: I belong to nothing and nothing belongs to me...

Sheldon sat on the edge of his bed, frozen. The grip on his laptop had turned his knuckles white. Earlier, he had decided to sneak a peek at what third base was supposed to entail. Perhaps he would surprise Penny with a new maneuver. He wanted to impress her, make her proud. That alone was a new emotion, to say nothing of the fact that most things he was feeling these days were unchartered.

Oral sex was the next step in the lesson plan. The technique required the use of one's mouth to stimulate or prepare the sexual organs for intercourse, or to assist your partner in achieving orgasm. Apparently, religious minded people used the method as another option so they could preserve their virginity for marriage. Others simply enjoyed the practice during intercourse to prolong their pleasure.

Mouths applied to sexual organs, achieving orgasm and fluids everywhere. Sheldon couldn't decide if he was appalled or enticed. At first, he balked openly at some of the pictures he studied. However, as the research continued, and the hour grew late, he felt a familiar warmth in his groin. Images gushed once again through his mind until his glazed over eyes grew dry.

The prospect of doing those things was what gave him pause. But having them done to him well, that was the conundrum.

Suddenly, he glanced up and noticed night had fallen. He put the computer aside and went to stand by the window, watching the sunset.

Sheldon peered at his bedside clock. He would see Penny within the hour.

The view from where he stood grew more beautiful with each second. As he studied the gentle arcs of the horizon, his mind turned to the slopes of Penny's breasts, each one exquisite in their own right. The memories of their last encounter flooded his veins with courage and he smiled, ready to take on this new challenge.

Sheldon took off his shirt as he stood by the window. The colors of the sunset shone through the glass and onto his skin. He studied the light reflecting off his body and he felt a sudden euphoria. His old habits seemed to float away and he felt a curious freedom in the act. The anticipation of seeing Penny became his driving force moving about his bedroom as he got dressed.

He jumped when his phone started to ring. He strode to the dresser and snatched it off the top. Glancing at the screen, his lips pursed.

Leonard was calling.

He sat so still and silent it made Penny want to go over and poke him.

She had been speaking for the better part of five or ten minutes and Leonard had listened intently, his brow furrowed. Finally after some time, he sighed loudly and stood. With his hands on his hips, Leonard slowly walked towards her and stopped in front of her, chewing on his bottom lip. He leaned forward, his body very close to hers. Penny held her ground, remembering his words about trust. She almost let out a breath of relief when he gently pulled his jacket from the back of the chair she sat on, and slowly pulled his arms through the sleeves.

Penny cast her eyes to the floor, and jumped when she felt his fingers gently pulling her chin back up to look at him. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. She allowed him the luxury, feeling his sadness and defeat. But she was human, and her chin quivered as they parted, tears spilling from her eyes once again.

"Never mind Leonard, I'll call it off…" she said, her voice breaking.

He shook his head no. From the jacket pocket, he pulled out his cell phone. Penny gave him a curious look as he put the phone to his ear and they stared at one another.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sheldon," Leonard said as Penny's eyes widened slightly.

"Oh Leonard, I thought you would be home by now. Where are you?"

"I'm at Howard's. Listen; could you do me a favor?" His eyes never strayed from Penny's face as he spoke.

"Penny called earlier today. She had some issues with her internet connection, but I was in the lab and now we're getting ready to go out for the night. I still feel weird just talking to her. But, I don't want Penny to think I'm ignoring her either. Would you go over there to give her a hand? "

Penny closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

Leonard was giving her a way out.

More importantly, he was allowing the charade to continue.

"I'll take care of it, Leonard. Try to have fun this evening. Will you be home tonight?"

"No, I think I'm going to crash here when we get back, so you can have the apartment to yourself. I'll call Penny and tell her you're coming over. Afterwards, maybe you should order some dinner and enjoy the quiet. I know it's been awhile for you."

"Thank you, that's a wonderful idea," Sheldon said lightly.

"Okay, see you tommorow."

"Goodnight," said Sheldon.

Leonard clicked his phone shut. With a final glance at her, he drank in her body from head to toe and back up to gaze sadly into her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound would emerge. He turned to go. At the door, he paused and stared at the floor.

"I loved you first you know," he said quietly. "From the moment we met, I knew you were something special. I knew before anyone else. I'll never stop fighting for another chance. But for now, I'll let you go. If you're serious about what you told me, I'll step aside." He turned his head to gaze at her.

"For now," he said. Without another word he pulled open the door slightly to survey the hall. As he closed it softly behind him, he tried to ignore the quiet sobs emanating from inside.

Sheldon could barely contain himself. Leonard would be gone for the whole evening. He could sleep in Penny's bed if he had the mind to, and no one would be the wiser. It was Friday night and he didn't work the next day.

Sheldon paused in his steps, amused.

It was a Friday night, and he a date.

And, it was possible he would get…what was the term…laid?

He finished dressing, laughing at the turn of events. On his way to the door, he grabbed something off the kitchen counter. A gift for Penny that he thought would be…whimsical.

Penny studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. All bets were off now.

She grabbed a washcloth and rinsed it in cold water. Her eyes were puffy from crying and if she was going to pull this off, it would have to look real. Sheldon would never know Leonard had been there.

She applied the cold washcloth to her eyes, relieved she hadn't the time to apply makeup earlier. After a minute, she could feel the skin begin to soften and cool down. She rinsed the rag and repeated until she felt normal again. Hastily, she glanced at her bedroom clock and quickly began applying some light makeup, just enough to make her look refreshed. She was dabbing on some lip gloss when she heard three quick knocks at the front door. She put the wand down and fluffed out her hair.

"Showtime," she said softly.

It was after the door to his apartment clicked shut behind him that Sheldon felt the fear. The onset was swift and brutal and he swayed under the effect. He swallowed hard and tried to maintain composure.

The object in his hand grew warm the longer he stood there staring at Penny's door. To calm himself, he began to pace, reciting the Periodic Table of Elements in alphabetical order. Midway through Sheldon stopped and squared his shoulders. Without another coherent thought, he strode to the door and knocked hard.

While he waited, his right arm casually rose to the door frame giving him a boyish carefree facade. His heart began to race with excitement wondering what she was wearing, how she smelled, the memories of her soft skin…

The door flew open and there she stood. Light blue silk stretched over her curves giving Sheldon an enticing view. Her lips were glossy and her hair shiny; she looked like a radiant goddess.

Penny and Sheldon locked eyes, and for a small moment of time, nothing happened.

The air between them was tense with anticipation. The draft from the door blew her fragrance into his face like rushing wind. Inhaling her scent, something inside Sheldon snapped. A wild sensation flew through his body and he shook his head quickly.

Regaining his composure, he painted his face as carefree once again, and brought up the object, holding it between them.

It was an apple.

They both smiled, the day's events lifting the weight off each pair of shoulders. She accepted the gift as Sheldon went to her, sweeping Penny into his arms. She squealed in surprise and accepted his hungry lips.

Leonard knocked on Howard's front door.

"Howard! Ansa the door," Mrs. Wolowitz hollered from what sounded like the second floor.

"Why can't you answer it?" Howard yelled back.

"Because it's afta dark, and it could be a sexual predata! They never ring the bell, always knock. I heard it from Sissy Goldman. You rememba her right? She goes to the same docta I do for my varicose veins and her husband goes to my proctologist! Oi, I would hate ta sleep next ta him at night, he smells gawd-awful!"

Leonard bit his lip and shook his head, chuckling. The door opened, and Howard came out, looking weary.

"Hey man, what's going on?" he asked.

"I need to get drunk in the worst way. Can you call Raj and get us to the closest bar quickly?"

Howard pulled out his cell phone. "You all right?" he asked Leonard giving him a once over.

"I will be after five or six or shots."