Author's Note: This story picks up sometime after 6x08 episode "The 43 Peculiarity" Yes, the episode that killed any possibility of the Shenny. So here it is: Project Retaliation. This is my first TBBT story, so I'm all for constructive criticism! Y'all are in for a long, very angsty ride.

Disclaimer: I own zilch. But in an alternative universe, Moon Pie is mine!

Penny shivered as the sudden obnoxious beeping of her clock broke the silence of her apartment. She turned to read the time: 7:30 AM. There had been no real need for the alarm - she had been lying in bed, starkly awake since...who knows? She couldn't be sure.

Penny did not linger. She rose, took a quick cold shower, changed into the dreariest black dress she could find, and waited for her neighbor to arrive. It had been understood that they'd attend the funeral together.

But the familiar knocking did not come. And it was now 8:15. 15 minutes past their agreed meeting time.

This was not right. He was not following protocol.

Unnerved by the silence and worried by his prolonged absence, Penny gathered her things and walked across the hall to 4A. And for a split second she felt it. The dizzying nausea clenching her stomach.

Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe.

Then she knocked. No answer. She turned the knob gingerly, finding it unlocked. Not a single light was on, and it appeared for a moment that the place was empty. But then she heard it. A distinct, albeit faint rapping against the wall.

"Sheldon?" she called out, fumbling for the hallway lights.

Penny sighed as her hand found the switch. But the light only roused more fear and she gasped at the sight before her.

A completely raggedy Sheldon Cooper was crouched at the foot of his roommate's door, his hand compulsively rapping rhythmically against it. Triple knock - and silence. Triple knock - and more silence.

His eyes were bloodshot, his hair a tousled mess, and he was still dressed in his wrinkly Green Lantern shirt - the same one he'd been wearing when they had received the news. But the most disturbing of all was his unwavering little knocks on the door. And though she could see his mouth opening and closing, there were no words.

Just knock, knock, knock - silence.

And then Penny knew that the silence was not silence at all. He was uttering a name. He'd surely repeated it all night and, in the process, lost his voice.

The nausea lurched inside her once again, but she couldn't vomit now. Not here. Not when he was like this. Taking a deep breath, Penny knelt down beside him.

"Sheldon?" she repeated.

He didn't even look at her. It was as if he hadn't registered her presence at all.

"Sheldon," she persisted gently, "honey, you need to get up."

She slowly reached for his hand and as soon as they touched, she felt his entire body tense up. This was the jolt he needed and he finally acknowledged her. His tired eyes lifted up to hers and they pleaded with her.

His mouth opened once more, but again, there was nothing but deafening silence.

She couldn't take it anymore. She had to get him up and they had to get the hell out of there. Mustering all of the strength left in her, Penny dragged him into his own room. She quickly rifled through his closet until she came across a black suit. Wordlessly, she stripped him and though slightly fearing any protests on his part, Penny buttoned and zipped until Sheldon was properly dressed.

Moving quickly, she forced him down the stairs and to her car as fast as his weight would allow her. It was 8:40. They needed to hurry. She would not be late. Not for this.

"Sheldon, get in the car and buckle yourself."

Penny began for the driver's side, but it was soon clear that he had no intention of moving. Sighing, she pulled open the passenger door and shoved him in.

She shivered a little as she slid into the driver's seat, peering cautiously at her stiff passenger. He did not turn to meet her glance. He remained expressionless and still. Sighing deeply, she started the engine. It was 8:45. She'd have to deal with him later.

And then he spoke the words that she'd been refusing to acknowledge all week long.

"Leonard is dead," he croaked matter-of-factly.

Leonard is dead.

Leonard is dead.

Leonard is dead.

Blinking furiously at her wooden passenger, Penny blasted the radio, attempting to drone out the leaden words. If she didn't hear them, it wasn't real.

It couldn't be.

MORE A/N: I'm sorry if this is truly depressing. It's not like I hate Leonard or anything...and I know that it's a cheap shot to kill him off in order to realize my shipper fantasies. But, ah well, an eye for an eye (sort of). Any reviews would be greatly appreciated!