Coming home again is a little different for Leonard and Penny this time. Not quite the same. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the "The Bid Bang Theory".
Chapter 1 The Trip
Leonard was getting a little tired from the long drive and was thinking of pulling over for a short break. He decided instead to pour himself coffee from his thermos. He looked into his rear view mirror and decided perfect time to pour his drink as no one else was around. Bracing the thermos between his legs he twisted the cap off placed it down on the seat beside him. Grabbing the handle, he poured the coffee into the cup in the holder in his dash. He then placed the cap back on the thermos again and set it back on the other front seat. He grabbed his cup and slowly sipped the coffee as it was still quite hot.
"Ahh…. This feels good." Leonard took a couple more sips and then placed the cup back into the holder. Feeling a bit more refreshed, he gave a big yawn and stretched each arm out one at a time while still holding the steering wheel. He then did a 180 with his head and he could hear the bones in his neck crack as he did this. With a big shutter he felt much better.
Now he could go for another hour or more without having to take a break. Leonard was just part way through his trip out east. He figured it was going to take at least five more days before he got to Washington. Trying to keep his mind preoccupied, he was wondering how everyone was doing back home. He was contemplating what his friends were doing at the moment. While it was a weekday, he knew they would all be at work. But he was really trying to stretching the time.
It was only his second day of his trip and he was already getting kind of lonely. He was even thinking that he wouldn't even mind Sheldon's company right now. Then thinking about it, he decided that the quiet and solitude was more comforting.
He was trying to remember if he packed everything for his trip. His car was definitely heavier than usual especially with all the stuff that he had to bring. He figured it was going to be more expensive to ship than to bring it with him. Beside he was thinking he would still need a car when he got there anyhow.
The weather for the most part was pretty good overall. It wasn't too hot or cool, but there was some rain in the forecast for overnight. Leonard wasn't worried as he would be off the road and in a hotel by that time. He just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to the car while on his trip. He was thinking that he might stop by a service station once he got near Lincoln Nebraska. He would try to get a service check and an oil change if possible.
Leonard was thinking that he might even drop by Penny's parents place for a quick visit. They've always said that he was welcomed anytime. Even when he and Penny were broken up, Wyatt said to drop by whenever he wanted. To some extent that they felt like he was part of their family, even though he wasn't going out with Penny. Well he still had a day of driving before then so he didn't worry about that too much.
Leonard checked his phone which was in the console to see if there was any message. Still showing a no signal message on his phone, he wondered when he might pick up a signal.
Leonard then turned on the radio to see if he could find a station to break the monotony. There was no reception where he was driving at the time as it was mostly open country. It was actually quite beautiful. Leonard wished Penny was with him right now to experience the view and splendor as she would have loved it. He recalled her tell him once when she looked at a Geographic magazine and it had pictures of the Midwest. She really missed the view and loved the scenery as she came across the country from Nebraska.
Leonard looked down at his gas gauge and there was a quarter of a tank left. "Looks like time to get more gas." Leonard kept an eye open for highway sighs for any rest or gas stops. He couldn't afford to bypass any stations as coming across the Midwest might not the best place to run out of gas. Not that it was so baron but he just didn't want to run of gas and walk miles to the next gas station.
As the hour passed he was thinking of the gang again. His thought of the gang flashed in and out of him mind as the drive became more tedious. He didn't want to use his cruise control as he wanted to stay awake while driving. Especially out here, he didn't want to take a chance and possible hitting something and damaging the car. Or worse case, run off the road because he fell asleep.
The afternoon was coming to a close and he still didn't see a rest stop or gas station. He was getting a little concerned as his gas gauge was slowly going down and now he was at a one eighth of a tank. The country side seems kind of empty and he was thinking that maybe he should have stopped at the last stop that he seen. He had about half a tank and thought he should come across another station soon.
The tank was almost on empty now and Leonard was really getting concerned. He hadn't seen any communities for quite some time and was thinking even a farm would be good. As he came around the next bend he saw a sign indicating gas in the next 10 miles. He lit up in his seat but could he drive the next 10 miles without burning up too much gas. He turned off everything in the car, as much as he could to prevent any additional strain on the engine and hoped that he could make it.
Someone was looking out for him as he saw the gas stations down the road. He kept a steady pace and finally pull up beside the pumps. He looked at the gas gauge and must have running on fumes as it was passed E. When he pulled up to the pumps, he didn't see anyone around. He thought "Oh great it's closed! Damn it!" Just then an older gentleman with a gray beard and dusty overalls came out of the cabin and walked over to the car.
"Filler up!"
"Please, as much as you can."
The gentlemen looked at him kind of strangely as he never heard that expression before.
"Sure thing"
Leonard got out of his car and asks him if he sold snack food in the store.
"Sure thing, you can go inside, my Misses is in there if you need any help."
"Thanks."
Leonard walked towards the door of the cabin. As he walked in and could tell that the store hadn't changed in over 20 years. There were posters up on the wall from the late 80's and early 90's. He thought some of them was quite neat. He was thinking of asking if he could buy some of them. Instead he focused on buying some chips and pop along with some chocolate bars for the road.
After scanning for what his pallet was urging for, he placed his items on the counter. The man's wife asked him how he was doing."
"Fine, thank you." Leonard said with a tired smile.
"Where are you coming from?" ask the wife.
"I'm driving from Pasadena California and heading to Washington DC."
"Wow that's some drive. Just yourself?" asked the wife.
"Yeah unfortunately it's just me."
The wife had a puzzled look on her face. "Why are you driving all that way, why not fly like most people do?"
"I'm carry quite a bit of my belongings and it would cost too much to ship it."
"Oh, OK. Well, I wish you a safe drive. Hey Harold how much is the gas?"
"Harold just came through the door and said fifty"
"OK with the food and gas it comes out to fifty eight dollars and fifty cents. How will you be paying for this?"
"Cash" and Leonard put his hands into his pocket and pulls out a bunch of twenty dollar bills. He count out sixty dollars and hands it over to the wife.
"OK your change is one dollar and fifty cents" and hands the change back to Leonard with an out stretch hand. "You drive safely you hear! Make sure you make it safe and sound."
"Yes I will. Thanks again." Leonard picks up the bag of goodies and walks out the store and over to the car.
Once inside the car Leonard gets everything all setup so he doesn't have to fidget with all the things while he was driving.
Leonard started the car and checks the gas as it registers full. "OK onward we go."
He pulls ahead and gets up to the speed limit and checks his GPS for where the next exit is going to be. Looks like it will be in another 200 hundred miles. "OK I'm all set now."
A/N:Please review and let me know what you think. I really appreciate your comments as it helps me to know how I'm doing.
Thanks
pfps
