Penny felt like she was spinning around on her toes, everything she could see was off kilter. Captain Hammer's nemesis, Dr. Horrible, was crouching next to her, his hands cradling her face. She noted the panic in all three of his faces.

"It's okay, Captain Hammer will save us…"

X

Awaking from a coma to find that you had been dead for the past month wasn't the most pleasant thing in the world. It was like the newspapers didn't even bother to follow up on what had happen once she was driven off in the ambulance. Not they had bothered to find out who she was when she dated Captain Hammer. She was just "what's her face."

Penny put the newspaper titled Dr. Horrible Kills Innocent Ginger on the bedside table and threw herself back on her bed. She didn't even remember what had happened that faithful night. It was all a blur of screams and bursts of red light.

"Hey Penny I got some Jell-O for you."

From the sliding door came a young Asian woman, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail. She placed the tray in her friend's lap and crashed on the seat next to her, putting her legs up on Penny's bed. She turned on the T.V. and the whole room erupting with noise.

"Thank you Meagan." Penny chirped, picking up a green piece of Jell-O with her fingers.

"The Doctor said you'd be able to leave in a few days." Meagan said nonchalantly over the T.V, "Isn't that great?"

Penny nodded, her mouth full of Jell-O. Her mind reeled with all the things she would do once she got out. A near death experience really puts your life in perspective. She defiantly would be going to the Caring Hands center first off. She wondered if Captain Hammer let it all go to hell after she "died." He had never been too enthusiastic about it, he was more interested about getting in her pants.

After that she'd have to find Billy. She smiled to herself. Her sweet, awkward, and a little bit cynical friend Billy. She missed their times together at the Coin Wash, sitting on top of the washers and eating yogurt. The way he would stare at her when he thought she wasn't looking and their long conversations about nothing.

As she shoveled more Jell-O into her mouth she wondered if Billy thought she was dead. Who was she kidding it was probably was all over the news. That truly awful Dr. Horrible had to go and ruin everything.

X

"What are you say?" Penny cried out.

"I'm saying that someone else lives here miss." The landlady said, clearly irritated. She had come out of her complex in a very unprofessional attire, shower robe and hair up in a towel. Her mascara was bleeding and her lips looked blood stained from poorly applied lipstick. "And besides, the woman who lived here before has been dead for a month."

"She's not dead, I'm right here!" Penny pleaded.

Her stomach turned and she felt the stitches on her stomach flair up. She gasped for air and clenched her stomach in pain. Meagan placed her hand on Penny's shoulder, "Are you alright?"

Penny turned to her, looking defeated. Meagan scowled. "Well she doesn't want to live this shit hole anyway." Pulling a startled Penny away from the apartment complex they made their way down the road.

"You didn't have to do that…" Penny said shyly.

"Of course I did, what are friends for if they don't stick up for their buds." Meagan said, bumping Penny at the hip.

They walked for a long time, the city lights illuminating their way. Penny's stomach hurt from yelling and excess walking but she didn't say anything.

She followed behind Meagan, who was walking a few feet in front of her. Meagan reminded her of those kids who played follow the leader religiously. Being around her again made the memories of high school bubble up. Meagan and her use to pull all-nighters watching movies instead of doing homework and skip test days because they were never ready.

"You can stay with me if you want." Meagan said, snapping Penny out of her trance.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it'll be little cramped but we can make it work." Meagan smiled. She was always such a generous person.

"Thanks Meg, what would I do without you?"

"Crash and burn."

Penny laughed, even though it hurt.

As they trekked on Penny swore she saw from the corner of her eye a local bank's windows had been shattered and boarded up. Then spray-painted over them the words HORRIBLE WAS HERE.

Here is the first chapter ;-) I never really liked having side characters that weren't part of the real story but I needed someone to get Penny on her feet. So Meg was born. She's Penny's high school friend who works at Olive Garden. I have a lot of Asian friends so I think that's why I chose to make her Asian, they are just the coolest people ever.

I'm really excited about this story. I was just really sad after watching the musical. I mean it was great and everything but it just broke my heart. So this is me coping with it. And as always all rights go to the Whedon family.