Penny dropped Leonard off at the Airport leaving him excited about the project ahead but devastated that he needed to be away from Penny for four months. Working with Stephen Hawking is more than he could imagine. As excited as he is, there was still the apprehension he feels for leaving Penny. She has admitted she loves him, and he is sure he loves her. But he still felt he needed to give her that locket with his picture in it so she would not forget him. Was there a chance the forward progress they had been making in their relationship could start to reverse? Could there be enough of a distraction over the four months he would be away that could make Penny rethink her kinda, sorta commitment to him? Wait, commitment? She full out admitted she had commitment issues. Was he over thinking things again? "God, I hope the locket works".
After Penny leaves Raj's apartment, she goes back to her apartment building and goes into 4B flopping down on her couch thinking how she is going to miss Leonard, all the time holding onto the locket he gave her. Four Months, this is so much like the time they went to the North Pole. She loves him, she doesn't want him gone but knows that it's best for his career and their relationship that he goes and does his Science Stuff. Last time, she was apprehensive of their possible relationship, now she is insecure about it. Who knows who is on that team? Some beautiful, smart scientist? No, wait; is she the one overthinking the situation now? Leonard loves her, he said so, and he gave her this locket with his picture in it to remind her of his love, didn't he? "Screw it! This is starting out way to lonely way to fast. I need to call the girls and lighten up the mood a bit".
Leonard doesn't quite know what to expect, being the "new kid on the block" with the other team members. He expects them to be professional and hopes he can fit in and satisfy Dr. Hawking's expectations. He also wouldn't mind rubbing it in Sheldon's face a bit that he has this unbelievable opportunity. The team gathers and Leonard is surprised to see that the Theoretical Physicist member of the team is none other than Dennis Kim. Leonard hasn't seen him, since the walk in the park with Howard and Raj, noticing Dennis hanging out with that girl Emma. Apparently, Dennis got a thing or two together since then.
Bernadette and Amy enter Penny's apartment, wine in hand, all set for an evening of girl talk. Penny seems happier already. "Hey girls, whatchyerpleasure? Red, White or something stronger"?
"Hey Penny", Bernadette chirps in with a big smile. "How are you doing"?
Penny shrugs "Come on Bernie, Leonard just left, I'm not THAT dependent on him". Although she tries to hide it, there is a little catch in her voice with her last statement.
Amy then breaks in "Although we all have full, exciting lives that transcend and eclipse our relationships with our significant others, the time lapse between Leonard's departure to the time you requested this evening that will be filled with girly frivolity, clearly indicates that you have indeed become dependent on Leonard's presence for comfort".
Penny just stared at Amy…."Annnnyyy…Way… Ice cream, popcorn, movies, or just sittin around talkin"?
Howard and Sheldon were in 4A with Raj trying to convince the astrophysicist that now that he can talk to women without alcohol or drugs, he should stop moping around and finally "get into the game".
Sheldon, sitting in his spot, "Raj, clearly even without Leonard, we can still have an effective landing party in the new on-line Star Trek game. So buck up man and get with it".
"Yeah Raj, Howard says, there's no telling how many Uhuras you can hook up with now".
Leonard felt a little uncomfortable with Dennis on the team seeing as how he had a hand in foiling Dennis's appointment at Cal Tech. "Hi – um, Dennis Kim isn't it"? Leonard finally said when he noticed Dennis looking his way. "Haven't seen you in a while, too bad about the job at Cal Tech".
"Oh, Dr. Hofstadter, nice to see you again". Dennis said with a little smirk. "Yeah, well it all worked out in the end, except for Emma, I got an appointment at Cambridge instead. That's how I became affiliated with Dr. Hawking's team. Emma's Dad didn't approve and the move to England was pretty much a killer".
Leonard smiled back. "Please call me Leonard. Don't worry, you'll find someone someday. Believe me; no one is out of the picture or out of your league. Just be patient, persistent, attentive and supportive and anything is possible". Leonard thought back to leaving Penny at the airport thinking to himself, Come on Locket! "This is going to be a great chance for some really cutting edge research isn't it? What's with all the security"?
Dennis looked around. "Well, being that I am doing the theoretical work and you are the Experimental Physicist, we'll be working pretty closely together. The security is more than any I've seen for research; they're really intense with all their stuff. Are you still working with that rather pompous arrogant Dr. Cooper"?
Leonard just nodded. "Living with, actually. However, if I play my cards right, not for long". Thinking to himself, unless things have changed, there's a little of "the pot calling the kettle black" thing going on, being that Dennis is really just a shorter, younger version of Sheldon. "Hey, do you know who the other Experimental Physicist was and what happened to him"?
Dennis thought for a minute. "Well, from what I heard, he was a Korean Hot Shot that just got ill at the last minute. I guess we should find everyone and get settled".
Unbeknownst to either of them, they were being watched by two nefarious looking men, Ming Tau and Yang Un, both agents of the North Korean Special Services. "It seems that they have placed an American to work with the Traitor. A Dr. Leonard Hofstadter, from Cal Tech. This is unfortunate. We will have to contact our superiors for direction on how to proceed".