Hey guys, so this is just gonna be a short fic, it's inspired by an amazing song I heard today, called 'Need You Now'. I'm not really one for modern music, I prefer to stick to the 70's and 80's :P But this song just really made me wanna write something, so I did. I hope you enjoy this first chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING, not 'Apple Industries', nor 'The Big Bang Theory', nor 'Lady Antebellum' or any of their music, this work of fiction is based solely around the enjoyment of the reader, and is not used for any monetary gain.

Penny knew that he'd be with Priya. Penny knew that she'd be lying on what used to be her half of the bed, fingers intertwined with his, whispering sweet nothings in his ear, the way she'd always done. Penny knew that Leonard would be smiling, laughing and embracing her, making her feel warm and safe, the way he'd always done with her.

And Penny lay here all alone, with Leonard's favourite shirt on, with any pictures and mementoes of the two of them strewn across the room, turning it into more of a wreck than usual. She pined for him. Pined to be back with him across the hall, with Leonard drawing small patterns upon her arms with his fingers, while she laughed into his neck, pretending to try and pull away. Penny had wanted to be back with him within minutes of breaking his heart, and she had spent many a night praying to any God that'd listen, asking for another chance with Leonard, asking them for his forgiveness, for his love. But now Penny knew that she couldn't have that, she wanted it even more. She wanted to feel his reassuring breath on the back of her neck, telling her that she was safe. She wanted to feel his hands on her stomach, telling her that he was never leaving. She wanted to feel love again, but she'd never fallen out of love with Leonard, and she hoped that somewhere within him, he knew it.

She reached for one of the photos next to her bed, and rolled onto her back lifting it up to the dim light above her. It was of their first Valentine's together.

Penny was lying with Leonard in his bed, her nose touching his, with a massive smile plastered across her face, her new diamond gold locket hanging loosely around her neck. He had given it to her as soon as midnight had hit, she had been asleep, and had at first been annoyed at Leonard for waking her up, but after slowly opening and seeing what was lying within the velvet box she had pounced him, smothering him with affectionate kisses, while he had just laid there, laughing sweetly at her reaction to his gift. She had so wanted to tell him that she'd loved him there and then, but she just couldn't admit to herself that he'd stolen her heart; Penny didn't want to get hurt again.

Penny could taste the salty tears on her cheeks, and it brought her back from her daydream, her hand reached for the locket that was still around her neck. She wore it whenever Leonard wasn't around, always touching it for comfort, and opening it every night before she slept. She even wore it when working shifts at The Cheesecake Factory, only taking it off whenever Leonard came in for dinner with her.

Something inside Penny broke, her hand shot out towards her IPhone, grabbing it from the nightstand, going straight to her contacts and swiping her finger vigorously against the screen until she reached Leonard's number. Her finger hovered over the call button, her resolve faltering in a moment of doubt. Leonard had a girlfriend, one that was a lawyer in criminal law. Why would he want just a dumb blonde waitress? She didn't deserve his love, just his cold shoulder.

She clicked the lock button on the top of her phone, and put it down on Leonard's side of the bed. She hit the home button, just so she could stare at the photo of the two of them hand in hand at an amusement park. Both smiling, both happy.

She rolled over, and blinked the tears from her eyes. Lifting the locket to her lips she kissed it, and in a faint whisper, she said to it:

'Goodnight Leonard.'

She could hear his voice in her head saying it back.

Penny spent the next night doing the same thing, looking through all of her photos, videos and trinkets, remembering happier times, back before she'd screwed up. She'd spent the past month within this cruel vicious cycle, torturing herself night after night with what could've been.

It was ten past one in the morning, Penny had been spying out of the peephole at regular intervals all night, waiting for Leonard to return, but he never did. She assumed that he must've spent the night at Priya's, until she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She jumped from her couch and leaped towards the front door, spying out into the hallway, feeling her heartbeat in her mouth; his very presence enticed her, excited her, and lifted her spirits. But not tonight, she saw him reach the landing, with a ragged look about him, he had bags under his eyes, and his hand was in his hair. Without thinking, and with her concern for Leonard taking over, she swung open her door, just catching him as he unlocked his. He obviously heard the noise, and turned to look at Penny, his eyes were tired, and they looked stormy, strands of hair were loose around his forehead, he looked a mess.

'We broke up,' He started quietly. I-I wasn't in love with her.' He looked at her without conviction, or anger. And then, he was gone.

Penny ran back into her apartment, slamming her door as she went, jumping on to her bed. She could feel Leonard hurting, and once again she felt the need to be with him. Within five minutes of hearing his words in the hall, Penny sat up slowly, reaching for her IPhone again, but this time, she did hit call, and he answered.