AN: I haven't written in about 3 or 4 years and I have NEVER written for Big Bang Theory. I find this show the most challenging to write about. The characters are so difficult to grasp for me, because they has such amazing, and strange at times, personalities. But I'm going to give it a go. This is a Leonard Penny story following the events that were protrayed on the show. Kind of a "missing moments" kind of thing. Starts mid Season 4 (because we all know we could've done with more Lenny moments then!) and will continue on.
I will go ahead an apologize ahead of time if it takes awhile to get updates. I am currently working as an RN and work 4 days, then 2 days off. My schedule is crazy busy, but I will try to have multiple chapters saved ahead of time, just in case life gets in the way. And I'm sorry, I don't have Microsoft Word on the computer I wrote this on, so if it seems strange or I missed some spellling errors, I'm sorry. Next chapter will be better!
With that being said, enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Benefactor Factor.
Penny collasped onto her couch, with a sigh. She really should go change. Work had been horrible today, starting out with her spilling a plate of Shrimp Scampi all down the front of her uniform within an hour after she arrived and ending with a group of tourists wandering in close to closing time. Not to mention, horrible tips. Although, the smell she was forced to carry around with her all day and the stain on her uniform probably did nothing to help with that. She wrinkled her nose as said smell hit her again. Alright, thats enough motivation right there to get up.
Using every ounce of energy she had left, Penny pushed herself off the couch and stumbled her way into the bedroom, ripping off the foul smelling uniform as she went. Reaching into her bottom drawer, she pulled out a pair of comfortable grey yoga pants, with the word, "Sexy" written across the ass in bright pink letters. Before she could close the drawer and move on to the next, she noticed, pushed to the back of the drawer as if it had been put there to avoid being found again, was a black t-shirt. When Penny pulled the material out to examine it, she had to smile. The logo on the front was in the desgin of..Star Trek? No, that wasn't right..Star wars? That sounded better. The words "May the Mass Times Acceleration Be With You" were written across the chest of the shirt.
Penny giggled remembering Leonard teaching her that formula. It's the only one that really stuck. Mass times Acceleration = Force. May the force be with you. Now she remembered why this shirt was shoved to the back of her dresser drawer. She had found it a few days after Leonard and her had broken up. Refusing to give the shirt back or even wash it too many times, for fear of his smell washing away, along with all their memories.
Fingering the material in her hands, Penny's grin was replaced with a sad smile. She slowly brought the material to her nose and inhaled. It still smells like him. After all this time. That was enough for Penny to make her decison, slipping the t-shirt over her head and covering her naked chest with it. Inhaling the material one more time, before standing from her crouched position, and walking back into the living room. After the day I've had, this is just what I need.
Walking over to her kitchen area, Penny poured herself a small glass of white wine and headed back to her original spot on the couch. Seconds after she had sat down, she heard a small knock at her door. When she realized it wasn't followed by two more, she yelled, "Come in."
Leonard opened the door and popped his head in.
I was wrong before, maybe this is just what I need after today.
Penny smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Well hello, stud."
Leonard plopped down on the couch beside her, shaking his head, "C'mon. Not you too. I heard enough at work today."
Penny couldn't help it, she had to laugh. He couldn't get off the hook that easy. "I still can't believe you slept with her! You gave her sex for money!" She broke into a fit of giggles once again.
"I didn't do it for the money! I swear!" Leonard tried to protest over Penny's laughter," It just happened to be a benefit."
Penny was finally able to calm herself to a point of being able to talk again. Wiping away the tears that had formed from laughing, she asked, "Then why?"
Leonard got a strange, unreadable expression on his face at her question," I..I don't know. I just..She.." He let out a long sigh," Please, can we talk about something else?"
Penny nodded her head and gave him a serious look, trying not let another smile shine through, "Sure. How was work?"
Leonard brightened at the change of subject, "Well besides the comments and jokes I received all day, it was quite nice. I started working on a new experiement today. I'm trying to-" Leonard was interuppted again by Penny's laughter. He knew it wouldn't last long.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Penny doubled over, not even seeming the slightest bit sorry, as she continued to laugh. "It's just..I can't believe you slept with an 80 year old woman!"
"She's not 80!" At the look Penny gave him, he continued, "She's not!"
Before he had time to explain, Penny interrupted him again," Was she good? I bet she was experienced with all the years she's had to practice!" She giggled again, "Was she better than me?"
Both Leonard and Penny froze after her last comment. She had not meant to go that far. She had just gotten caught up in the jokes and laughter. She bit her lip and looked away, "Sorry. That was crossing the line a little bit. You don't have to answer that!"
"No." Leonard shook his head and stared into her eyes," She wasn't better. I don't think anyone could beat you in that competition." He flashed her a genuine smile, that she liked to think was reserved for her.
Penny didn't look away," Yeah..we were both pretty great weren't we?"
Leonard nodded and neither one of them said anything else, just continued to stare at each other. Penny felt her heart beat speed up as she recalled the look on Leonard's face, one that he had had countless times while they were dating, right before they wound up in bed together, tangled in the sheets. She watched as his eyes took in her whole body, starting with her eyes and trailing down. Biting her bottom lip, she couldn't help but wonder what was about to happen. What shouldn't happen you mean? You dumped him! Penny shook those thoughts away. She knew if he tried anything, there was no way she could turn him down right now.
She noticed a confused expression take over his face. He pointed towards her, "Is that my shirt?"
Crap.
"Um..yeah. It is." She struggled with an explaination.
Leonard spoke before she could come up with one," It looks good on you."
Penny couldn't help the blush that crept up her neck and continued to her cheeks. "Uh, thanks." She offered him a small smile and, without realizing what she was doing, scooted a little closer to him on the couch. She was about to close the distance between them even more, when a knock was heard on the other side of her door. She groaned inwardly when she heard her name shouted, and two more knocks afterward.
"Leonard!" Sheldon shouted through the door," You promised you'd take me to the train store!"
Penny saw Leonard hang his head, "Just a minute, Sheldon!" He shouted back. He looked up at Penny and gave her a small smile," I did promise him. So..I should go." Penny could tell from the look on his face, it was the last thing he wanted to do. Same here, Penny thought.
But she nodded anyway, "Okay. I'll see you later?" She asked, nervous for some reason.
Leonard's smile grew, "Yeah." He stood up and walked to the door, throwing her one more galnce and a smile, before walking out.
Penny's smile stayed in place. She stared at the door for several minutes, before glancing back down at the shirt she was wearing, "Yeah, I'm never giving this back."