OK, this is going to be a sensitive issue. It's going to be focusing on domestic violence between Howard and Bernadette. It's been a thought I've been considering for a while, especially with the past storyline of Corrie. So here it is and if you guys don't like it,just say the word and I'll delete it and you'll never hear from it again. Here we go.

"Howie,is that you?" Bernadette called.

"Yes!" He called back,shutting the door. She came into the living room, a blue towel around her. They kissed in greeting and then he smiled hopefully at her.

"No."

"Come on, Bernie. You know it doesn't take that long with me..."

"Stop it!" She giggled,elbowing him. "You should shower too."

"Why?"

"We're going to my parents."

" 're going to your parents, I'm going to HALO."

"No,silly. I told you, we're going to my parent's tonight."

"You never told me..." He stopped. She was beginning to look really,really pissed off.

"Howard," she said in an uncharacteristically cold voice. "I'm not in the mood for 're going to my parents', so get your ass in the shower!"

"But..."

FLUMP!

Bernadette was shorter than Howard was, but she was angry now and without thinking, swung upwards and caught the side of his head, almost knocking the engineer over in her annoyed strength.

"Ow! Jesus..."

Bernadette blinked upwards at him. Had she just done that? To the man she loved so very much? She'd hurt him! She didn't know what to do. She was afraid that if she apologized, he wouldn't forgive her, that he'd say "bite me" and leave her.

"I'm sorry,Bernie." He choked felt terrible. Not only had she full-force walloped her husband, but he blamed himself for it.

"No, it wasn't your fault." She softly reached out and patted his arm. "I had a really crappy day at work. I'm sorry,Howie, I shouldn't have hit you. Will you forgive me?"

"Yeah." He released his head and accepted the tentatively offered hug from his wife.

The drive to and back from the Rostenkowski's was quiet, with the exception of the occasional "You OK?" from one of the duo to the other. Both wondered if they'd ever forget this and the massive guilt it produced for both of them.

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"I can't believe you missed HALO!" Sheldon complained.

"I'm sorry. I had to visit my in-laws with Bernadette."

It was the following Monday. He and Bernadette had forgotten the punch. There had been a bruise left, though and it had gained the attention of his work buddies in the engineering department. Luckily, the guys hadn't noticed. Or so he thought.

"What the hell happened to your head?" Leonard asked, frowning at the dark mark on the non-physicist's head.

"Oh, I got it caught in a door."

"How'd you manage that?" Raj asked.

"You guys know what what a klutz I am."

That shut them up. Any further questions about his injury were stopped by Leslie Winkle appearing with the sole intention of calling Sheldon "dumbass" and insulting his work.

"I do not like that woman." Sheldon announced, watching her walk off.

"Really? I thought she was your favourite person ever." Leonard told him, snarkily.

"Sarcasm?"

"Yes." Leonard sighed.

Damn it all.I feel like I'm doing this all horribly. The thing is,I know there will be people saying "WTH!" I haven't written a fanfic in at least 5 months, so I'm rusty and I'm in virgin territory doing a domestic violence fic. It's just I think Bernie could hurt Howard if she put her mind to it and I'm counting on you guys to let me know whether or not this is good. So, please review! And,yes, Howard was hoping for sex.

Love Shania xxxx