Chapter 2. Raj tests Penny's arms

Synopsis: Leonard and Sheldon help Penny but this leads to a fight. Penny finds a friend in Raj to crush against her pecs...

*** [In the hallway] ***

Penny: Leonard, can you take the key to my apartment? I will have a package delivered and will not be home. Can you receive it and upload it for me?

Leonard: Sure, of course! Don't worry, Penny, I'll be happy to help you.

Penny: You're a sweetheart, Leonard. Thank you. I promise I will return the favor somehow.

Leonard (thinking): If only I could hug those muscles... Don't worry, Penny, I don't have to. (Smile)

Sheldon: Penny, before you go, do you remember that you ate at our apartment last night? You haven't paid your share yet. By the way, you have a voracious appetite.

Penny: Sorry, Sheldon. I'll pay you later. Now I'm running late for work. Bye bye...

[Penny leaves in a hurry]

Sheldon: Sure, as always. If you weren't so... robust?, I would tell you something else. But that's fine. Greetings.

Leonard: Sheldon, leave it. I invite. We don't need to charge you anything.

Sheldon: Do you think paying for her food will make her have sex with you? Mature, weak boy.

Leonard: Maybe one day she'll get tired of my pleas and let me be her boyfriend out of sheer exhaustion.

Sheldon: You didn't see those muscles, did you? I think she doesn't run out. One minute of... well, it'll break your ribs, shorty.

Leonard: It would be a dream if he crushed me with those powerful pecs, his well-formed, veiny biceps...

*** [The next day] ***

Leonard and Sheldon with great effort carry Penny's package, which turned out to be quite large.

Penny: Hey guys! Thank you! It was difficult?

Leonard: Not at all, Penny! It was a piece of cake... Oh, Penny, you look beautiful today.

Penny: (blushes) Thanks, Leo. And thanks again, guys.

Sheldon: What do you mean it was easy, Leonard? I almost fainted climbing it. Also, Penny, let me tell you, your apartment is a mess. If I slip anywhere here, I'm sure I'll get tetanus from all those weights scattered around.

Penny: What are you saying, Sheldon?

Sheldon: Literally, a pig would live better here than you. How can you live without order or organizational logic?

Leonard: (to Penny) Don't pay attention to him, that's Sheldon. (hits Sheldon) Let's go, Sheldon.

Penny: No, no, wait. How dare you, Sheldon? Do you think I'm a pig? Do you think a pig would have arms like these, with veins about to explode? Tell me what you think?

Sheldon: Well, you're right about that. I don't see a single gram of fat on your body, something that a pig would have. But you're still messy.

Penny: You better get out, Sheldon, or my fist could make contact with your face and, who knows, possibly mess up your organs too.

*** [The next day, Penny finds Raj in the hallway] ***

Penny: (to Raj) Can you believe Sheldon came into my apartment last night and organized all my things and my clothes? My nipples stand up when someone underestimates me, my muscles are very receptive.

Raj: (does not speak)

Penny: Tell me, did you see them? Did you realize that they underestimate me because they are scientists and I'm just a waitress? And what hurts me the most is that I feel that Leonard doesn't accept me either, that he doesn't like my muscles. I thought he was different.

Raj: (thinks: I would accept you without hesitation)

Penny: He doesn't like my muscular body. Look at these veiny muscles. Men always seem intimidated by them.

Raj: (thinks: And no wonder, they're stronger than vibranium)

Penny: My arms are very big and strong. Yesterday I had a flat tire on my car and I lifted it without breaking a sweat with my right arm while I changed the tire with my left.

Raj: (thinks: My God, what a woman. If those arms catch me, I'll finish in a second)

Penny: But what if I'm exaggerating? Maybe Leonard can see inside me, maybe he's different.

Raj: (thinks: If your exterior is like this, for God's sake, who cares about your interior)

Penny: Yeah, maybe he likes my swollen veins. Yesterday he told me I was fantastic. Look at this bicep, do you think he likes it?

Raj: (thinks without making a sound: Who cares Leonard, I love it, I would bite everything)

Penny: See? Do you think it's too small? Look good.

Raj: (thinks: For God's sake, enough, I can't take it anymore, thinks about something else, about Howard's mother).

Penny: Do you think my bicep peaks are weak? Do you think I should lift more weight?

Raj: (thinks) No, no, my God, you're perfect.

Penny: You're right, I'll go talk to him.

Raj: (thinks: Thank goodness, it's over now).

Penny: (Hugs Raj) Thank you, you're the best. I love you, Raj.

Raj: (thinks: Oh yeah, I'm going to need to stop by Leonard's bathroom.)

*** [The next day, Penny, after talking to Raj, goes to confront Leonard] ***

Penny: Leonard, I need to ask you something. Do you like my super muscular body?

Leonard: (with emphasis) Yes, Penny! I love it! Your body is incredible, and those muscles are amazing. You look stunning.

Penny: (astonished) I thought you were intimidated by my size, since you're so small.

Leonard: For someone super nerdy like me, it's super exciting that you're giant, you can carry me in your arms and protect me from abusive kids.

Penny: (blushing and bigger than before) Of course Leonard, as your friend I will always protect you... see you later

Leonard: (with admiration) Yes Penny... (whispering) I love you...

[Penny meets Raj again in the hallway and hugs him tighter]

Raj: (thinks) or my god, again, I'm going to need Leonard to lend me underwear...