Suits: A Lawyer Surviving TV Chaos

Whether in his past life or this one, a man caught glimpsing a woman's nudity always faced awkwardness—though the duration varied. Back than, it might linger for days or even spark a lifelong bond. Now? A shower washed it away. 

"Penny, I want to apologize properly. I truly didn't know it was you in there. Sheldon and the others were busy, so I didn't check…" 

"Relax! I'm proud of my body." 

"As you should be, also that mole above your navel is perfectly centered. Zero lateral deviation." 

" Martin Scott! " 

*Crisis averted.* 

Later, Raj arrived with a prized VHS tape of Hawking's 1980s lecture. The four science nerds instantly morphed into wide-eyed children, crowding around the TV like worshippers at an altar. 

From the couch, Martin whispered to Penny, "I'm tempted to yell, *'Step away from the damn screen!'* But that feels too… mom-like." 

Penny giggled, then studied his profile. "How are you so… *normal* compared to them?" 

"Humanities versus natural sciences," Martin shrugged. "Law, literature--those are human. Physics, math? Alien territory." 

"So… what I get is human. What I don't is alien. Got it!" Penny laughed, slapping his thigh. 

Martin surrendered to her logic. 

As the lecture droned on, Penny pressed, "Why live with them? Sheldon freaked out when I sat on *his* couch cushion!" 

"We've been neighbors since childhood. Guess what , at eleven he tried building a nuclear reactor for our town. Got swarmed by FBI agents." Martin's voice softened. "To most, he's a weirdo. To me? Just a guy obsessed with his passions—like shoes or cars for others." 

Penny's gaze turned molten. "You're… *kind*." 

"huh.. weren't we talking about Sheldon!?" 

"You *are* kind," she insisted. 

Changing topics, Martin asked, "Why did you move here?" 

Penny sighed. "Got dumped by ex. Almost ended up homeless. Came to New York for acting—stage plays, indie films. L.A. chewed me up." 

"Watch out for creeps in indie circles," Martin warned. "Call me if anyone hassles you." 

"You never gave me your number!" 

"My bad." He handed her his phone. 

Across the room, Leonard glared at their whispered exchange and then plopped beside them, arm awkwardly draped over martin's shoulder and asked "what were you guys talking about?" "Discussing Renaissance witch hunts," Martin lied and inquired with a raised eyebrow "btw what going on with your arm?"

Leonard jerked back. "Uh… just stretching!...got cramps watching TV !" His flailing limbs drew a snort from Penny. 

By midnight, Howard and Raj left. Martin retreated to give Leonard "space." 

As he turned, Leonard blurted, "Penny can take my bed! I'll bunk with Martin." 

"Thanks, but I can sleep on—" 

"**No sleeping bags!**" Leonard squeaked. 

Martin deadpanned, "Fine. But **shower first**." 

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