The Treasure Hunt Expedition
Title: The Treasure Hunt Expedition
Rating: PG
Warning/Spoilers: Briefly hints at events in the season 2 finale.
Disclaimer: TBBT is not mine, more's the pity, and the theater is completely made up.
Summery: Penny asks the gang to help her with a treasure hunt.
A/N: This was written in response to a fic request won by sinstralpride who asked for:
Prompt: Something involving a roadtrip. ^_^ But cute and silly. ♥ Uh... cute, silly, fun roadtrip. That's basically it. It can be any rating she wants, but PG would be perfect. Even just a friendshippy trip would be great, maybe even with the group of them?
It's probably not what you were picturing, but I find I kinda fail at writing silly.D: I hope you like it, anyway!!
Penny squinted at the glare of a pair of particularly bright headlights and tossed a grin at the man sitting next to her. She was determined to forget about that dumb argument with Leonard.
"I really appreciate you and the guys helping me out with this, Sheldon. I could really use the $500 bonus that goes along with winning the The Cheesecake Factory's annual treasure hunt. Do you know where we're going yet, or do you need my help?"
Sheldon gave her a superior, and somewhat patronizing, smile. "I do not need your help, Penny. As Leonard would say, it was 'Easy, peasy'."
"Great! Where are we going?"
"The Down Town Theater where we will find the next clue in the men's restroom. It will be written on the wall of the third stall, lower left-had corner. You know, I don't know if I approve of graffiti. While I recognize that it is a form of artistic expression that is becoming more and more accepted in today's society, isn't it also-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I didn't think the location of the clues were supposed to get that specific. You're telling me you got "Down Town Theatre, men's bathroom, third stall, lower left-hand corner" from figuring out a tiny one-sentence clue?"
"No. I'm not very adept at word games. I work better with numbers and equations."
"Then how did you figure it out?" she asked, confused.
He gestured toward what Penny termed his 'man bag', where is laptop currently resided. "I looked it up online. Did you know the Cheesecake Factory recycles their treasure hunt clues every five years? Very lazy, I have got to say. I think it unnessesary to contact the others in our group because while I don't know if Raj and Howard would have thought of it, I'm reasonably sure Leonard came up with the same method."
Penny looked at Sheldon with something very much like horror on her face.
"Sheldon! Is that what you have been doing on that thing!? I told you guys we are not allowed outside help, or to interact with anyone besides our pre-approved group! That means no internet! If someone finds out we could be disqualified!"
Now it was Sheldon's turn to be horrified. "No internet! Well, that's just barbaric. I assumed by "outside help" you meant persons not associated with the treasure hunt, or other treasure hunt groups. If I knew we couldn't use the internet to help in our search, I do not know if I would have agreed to participate."
"Okay, okay. We'll just do this. We'll call the guys and make sure they know not to use the internet. Then we'll go see what the next clue is and take it from there."
"Since I am not allowed to use my computer, I don't see how I can be of any service to you. I have already pointed out that I am not adept at word games," Sheldon stated while absentmindedly rubbing the place on his arm Penny had took hold of earlier.
"Yeah, but something tells me we might need that massive brain of yours before the night is over. Besides, after missing you guys all last summer I really wanted do something with the whole group. So, will you please stay with me, Sheldon?"
When their gazes met, Sheldon and Penny stared at each other for a moment. When Penny's eyes returned to the road (out of necessity, of course), Sheldon cleared his throat and replied, "Very well," before pressing the speed dial number for Leonard.
***************************
Leonard hung up with Sheldon, and glanced in the review mirror to see Howard hunched over his computer in the back.
"That was Sheldon. Put away the laptop, Howard. He already found the answer for the first clue. We're going to meet them at the Down Town Theater. He also said that from now on we can't use the internet. If we do, we could all get disqualified."
Raj frowned from his place in the front passenger seat. "Wow, that would suck. I've never been on a treasure hunt before."
"Me, neither," Howard chimed in. "Except for, you know, video games, of course."
"Of course," the other two echoed.
Leonard ran his hand through his hair in frustration, "I just wish we were all riding together, and not split up like this. I still don't know how that happened."
"Dude, don't you remember? We were almost to your car when you made that really stupid remark about that guy Penny dated last year. For some idiotic reason you accused her of dating him just because he was taller than you. Then Penny said that dating him had nothing to do with height, and certainly nothing to do with you. And you said you didn't believe that and that if she liked tall guys so much she should take Sheldon and drive her own car. Then Penny shouted, 'Fine, I will!', grabbed Sheldon's arm and walked away."
Leonard looked a little ashamed, while Howard looked impressed.
"Excellent recap, my friend. You should write for one of those entertainment web sites that write episode descriptions of TV shows. Oh, oh! Maybe you could do America's Next Top Model. You could actually get paid for watching hot girls."
"Shut up, Howard. And yes, Raj, thank you yet again for recapping my pain." Then Leonard smiled as an idea came to him. "You know, maybe if I can help her win that money, Penny will forgive me."
Raj nodded. "Yeah, man. Apologizing and actually not acting like a douche every time you get jealous would be way too much work. I'd definitely go with the 'buying her love' method. I mean, all the other really pathetic moves you've tried have failed. Might as well scrape the bottom of the barrel and see what comes up."
Leonard scowled at his friend, but he couldn't tell by Raj's grin if he was being sincere or sarcastic, so he let the matter drop.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, Howard thinking about the hot brunette that just transferred to the engineering department, Leonard wondering if he should apologize to Penny or just go on like nothing happened and Raj thinking that he was probably the only one who noticed the expression on Sheldon's face when Penny took his arm and the way he followed her without saying a word.
A/N: Here is a little Part II to finish the story. Hope you enjoy it!
Part II
Raj placed both palms over his face and rubbed vigorously as he sat in the backseat of Penny's car. It had been a very long, very disappointing night.
"I'm sorry we lost, Penny."
Raj placed his hand briefly on her shoulder to get her attention, then nodded his agreement with Sheldon's quiet statement.
Penny sighed then smiled at them both, her sad eyes meeting Raj's sad smile in the review mirror before darting back to the road. "It's not you guy's fault. I'm pretty sure McKayla is sleeping with the manager. So, we probably never really had a chance of winning, anyway."
"Are you saying that the woman who won was given preference due to a physical relationship that exists between her and the presiding official?"
"Yes, that's what I think happened, Sheldon."
Raj watched as Sheldon turned in the passenger seat to fully face Penny.
"But - but that's not fair. You might have won had that woman not cheated. You were looking forward to that money, Penny."
"I know, Sheldon." A note of embarassment had creeped into her voice.
Sheldon opened his mouth to continue his protests, Raj was sure, but Raj managed to grip Sheldon's shoulder in time to shut him up.
A period of silence ensued that lasted so long that Raj was almost asleep before he heard the murmur of quiet voices start up again. Something - the universe, instinct - was telling him to keep his eyes closed as he listened.
"Do you need to borrow money from me again?"
"Sheldon."
"Really, I don't mind lending it to you. How much do you need?"
"Sweetie, I really don't need to borrow anything. I didn't so much need the money as I wanted it to buy a few extra things. Nothing essential, though."
A few moments went by before Raj heard Penny speak again.
"Which street do I turn on again to get to Raj's apartment?"
"Turn right at the next stop light. If you don't want money, then perhaps there is something I can purchase for you as, I don't know, a 'sorry we lost the Cheesecake Factory's Annual Treasure Hunt' gift."
"Okay, where is all this coming from, Sheldon?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"Well, first you practically insist on lending me money, then you want to buy me a gift? It's like you're my father."
"Your father?"
"Yeah, whenever I got upset he would always buy me things or give me money to make me feel better. Don't get me wrong - I always accepted it, but I couldn't help wishing that he would just hug me. Tell me everything would be all right. Something...else. You know?"
"Are you saying you want me to hug you?" Sheldon sounded a little uncomfortable.
Raj could hear the smile in Penny's voice as she said, "Well, I'm driving so...maybe just a little pat instead?"
"All right."
Raj peeked out of one eye in time to see Sheldon reach over and awkwardly pat Penny on top of the head. Now, instead of a smile, he heard out-and-out laughter in Penny's voice.
"Thank you, Sheldon."
"You're welcome, Penny. Make another right at the stop sign."
The car again lapsed into another silence - this one considerably more lighthearted. Raj yawned and stretched, then caught Penny's eyes in the rear-view mirror.
He smiled at her. Her eyes smiled back.
Rating: PG
Warning/Spoilers: Briefly hints at events in the season 2 finale.
Disclaimer: TBBT is not mine, more's the pity, and the theater is completely made up.
Summery: Penny asks the gang to help her with a treasure hunt.
A/N: This was written in response to a fic request won by sinstralpride who asked for:
Prompt: Something involving a roadtrip. ^_^ But cute and silly. ♥ Uh... cute, silly, fun roadtrip. That's basically it. It can be any rating she wants, but PG would be perfect. Even just a friendshippy trip would be great, maybe even with the group of them?
It's probably not what you were picturing, but I find I kinda fail at writing silly.D: I hope you like it, anyway!!
Penny squinted at the glare of a pair of particularly bright headlights and tossed a grin at the man sitting next to her. She was determined to forget about that dumb argument with Leonard.
"I really appreciate you and the guys helping me out with this, Sheldon. I could really use the $500 bonus that goes along with winning the The Cheesecake Factory's annual treasure hunt. Do you know where we're going yet, or do you need my help?"
Sheldon gave her a superior, and somewhat patronizing, smile. "I do not need your help, Penny. As Leonard would say, it was 'Easy, peasy'."
"Great! Where are we going?"
"The Down Town Theater where we will find the next clue in the men's restroom. It will be written on the wall of the third stall, lower left-had corner. You know, I don't know if I approve of graffiti. While I recognize that it is a form of artistic expression that is becoming more and more accepted in today's society, isn't it also-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I didn't think the location of the clues were supposed to get that specific. You're telling me you got "Down Town Theatre, men's bathroom, third stall, lower left-hand corner" from figuring out a tiny one-sentence clue?"
"No. I'm not very adept at word games. I work better with numbers and equations."
"Then how did you figure it out?" she asked, confused.
He gestured toward what Penny termed his 'man bag', where is laptop currently resided. "I looked it up online. Did you know the Cheesecake Factory recycles their treasure hunt clues every five years? Very lazy, I have got to say. I think it unnessesary to contact the others in our group because while I don't know if Raj and Howard would have thought of it, I'm reasonably sure Leonard came up with the same method."
Penny looked at Sheldon with something very much like horror on her face.
"Sheldon! Is that what you have been doing on that thing!? I told you guys we are not allowed outside help, or to interact with anyone besides our pre-approved group! That means no internet! If someone finds out we could be disqualified!"
Now it was Sheldon's turn to be horrified. "No internet! Well, that's just barbaric. I assumed by "outside help" you meant persons not associated with the treasure hunt, or other treasure hunt groups. If I knew we couldn't use the internet to help in our search, I do not know if I would have agreed to participate."
"Okay, okay. We'll just do this. We'll call the guys and make sure they know not to use the internet. Then we'll go see what the next clue is and take it from there."
"Since I am not allowed to use my computer, I don't see how I can be of any service to you. I have already pointed out that I am not adept at word games," Sheldon stated while absentmindedly rubbing the place on his arm Penny had took hold of earlier.
"Yeah, but something tells me we might need that massive brain of yours before the night is over. Besides, after missing you guys all last summer I really wanted do something with the whole group. So, will you please stay with me, Sheldon?"
When their gazes met, Sheldon and Penny stared at each other for a moment. When Penny's eyes returned to the road (out of necessity, of course), Sheldon cleared his throat and replied, "Very well," before pressing the speed dial number for Leonard.
***************************
Leonard hung up with Sheldon, and glanced in the review mirror to see Howard hunched over his computer in the back.
"That was Sheldon. Put away the laptop, Howard. He already found the answer for the first clue. We're going to meet them at the Down Town Theater. He also said that from now on we can't use the internet. If we do, we could all get disqualified."
Raj frowned from his place in the front passenger seat. "Wow, that would suck. I've never been on a treasure hunt before."
"Me, neither," Howard chimed in. "Except for, you know, video games, of course."
"Of course," the other two echoed.
Leonard ran his hand through his hair in frustration, "I just wish we were all riding together, and not split up like this. I still don't know how that happened."
"Dude, don't you remember? We were almost to your car when you made that really stupid remark about that guy Penny dated last year. For some idiotic reason you accused her of dating him just because he was taller than you. Then Penny said that dating him had nothing to do with height, and certainly nothing to do with you. And you said you didn't believe that and that if she liked tall guys so much she should take Sheldon and drive her own car. Then Penny shouted, 'Fine, I will!', grabbed Sheldon's arm and walked away."
Leonard looked a little ashamed, while Howard looked impressed.
"Excellent recap, my friend. You should write for one of those entertainment web sites that write episode descriptions of TV shows. Oh, oh! Maybe you could do America's Next Top Model. You could actually get paid for watching hot girls."
"Shut up, Howard. And yes, Raj, thank you yet again for recapping my pain." Then Leonard smiled as an idea came to him. "You know, maybe if I can help her win that money, Penny will forgive me."
Raj nodded. "Yeah, man. Apologizing and actually not acting like a douche every time you get jealous would be way too much work. I'd definitely go with the 'buying her love' method. I mean, all the other really pathetic moves you've tried have failed. Might as well scrape the bottom of the barrel and see what comes up."
Leonard scowled at his friend, but he couldn't tell by Raj's grin if he was being sincere or sarcastic, so he let the matter drop.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, Howard thinking about the hot brunette that just transferred to the engineering department, Leonard wondering if he should apologize to Penny or just go on like nothing happened and Raj thinking that he was probably the only one who noticed the expression on Sheldon's face when Penny took his arm and the way he followed her without saying a word.
A/N: Here is a little Part II to finish the story. Hope you enjoy it!
Part II
Raj placed both palms over his face and rubbed vigorously as he sat in the backseat of Penny's car. It had been a very long, very disappointing night.
"I'm sorry we lost, Penny."
Raj placed his hand briefly on her shoulder to get her attention, then nodded his agreement with Sheldon's quiet statement.
Penny sighed then smiled at them both, her sad eyes meeting Raj's sad smile in the review mirror before darting back to the road. "It's not you guy's fault. I'm pretty sure McKayla is sleeping with the manager. So, we probably never really had a chance of winning, anyway."
"Are you saying that the woman who won was given preference due to a physical relationship that exists between her and the presiding official?"
"Yes, that's what I think happened, Sheldon."
Raj watched as Sheldon turned in the passenger seat to fully face Penny.
"But - but that's not fair. You might have won had that woman not cheated. You were looking forward to that money, Penny."
"I know, Sheldon." A note of embarassment had creeped into her voice.
Sheldon opened his mouth to continue his protests, Raj was sure, but Raj managed to grip Sheldon's shoulder in time to shut him up.
A period of silence ensued that lasted so long that Raj was almost asleep before he heard the murmur of quiet voices start up again. Something - the universe, instinct - was telling him to keep his eyes closed as he listened.
"Do you need to borrow money from me again?"
"Sheldon."
"Really, I don't mind lending it to you. How much do you need?"
"Sweetie, I really don't need to borrow anything. I didn't so much need the money as I wanted it to buy a few extra things. Nothing essential, though."
A few moments went by before Raj heard Penny speak again.
"Which street do I turn on again to get to Raj's apartment?"
"Turn right at the next stop light. If you don't want money, then perhaps there is something I can purchase for you as, I don't know, a 'sorry we lost the Cheesecake Factory's Annual Treasure Hunt' gift."
"Okay, where is all this coming from, Sheldon?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"Well, first you practically insist on lending me money, then you want to buy me a gift? It's like you're my father."
"Your father?"
"Yeah, whenever I got upset he would always buy me things or give me money to make me feel better. Don't get me wrong - I always accepted it, but I couldn't help wishing that he would just hug me. Tell me everything would be all right. Something...else. You know?"
"Are you saying you want me to hug you?" Sheldon sounded a little uncomfortable.
Raj could hear the smile in Penny's voice as she said, "Well, I'm driving so...maybe just a little pat instead?"
"All right."
Raj peeked out of one eye in time to see Sheldon reach over and awkwardly pat Penny on top of the head. Now, instead of a smile, he heard out-and-out laughter in Penny's voice.
"Thank you, Sheldon."
"You're welcome, Penny. Make another right at the stop sign."
The car again lapsed into another silence - this one considerably more lighthearted. Raj yawned and stretched, then caught Penny's eyes in the rear-view mirror.
He smiled at her. Her eyes smiled back.