I was watching some old episodes and this just kind of came to mind.

I own Nothing

Penny couldn't believe what she just heard. It was happening AGAIN. Zack bought her a Wonder Woman costume to go to a New Year's Eve party, AGAIN. And to make it worse, Leonard was going to be going…. AGAIN.

Last time, she started seeing Zack again only because she didn't want to be alone on New Year's Eve. She screwed up her relationship with Leonard because she did what she did SO well…. She ran…. She couldn't take hearing him say I Love You. He expected a similar response and she couldn't give it. She didn't know what to do, so she just ended the relationship.

Sheldon said Amy didn't like dressing up. She wasn't whimsical like he was. Bernadette was in quarantine according to Howard. Penny was the only girl they knew who would do this. Leonard finally convinced her to go to the party. Even though she still had feelings for Leonard, she started seeing Zack because she didn't want to be alone on New Year's Eve. She almost told Leonard how she felt but just like always, couldn't come up with the goods. She went to the party and they won the prize. When midnight came, Zack pulled her in and kissed her. Right…. in front… of…. Leonard.

She could still see the look on his face. Still feel the daggers in her heart at hurting him so much. She just wanted to grab him and hold him and kiss him. But what did she do? Yup….., nothing…... She let everything play out and she lost him. Lost him to Pryia. Things were awkward, then Pryia told Leonard to not hang out with Penny anymore. It got MORE awkward. Then she went to bed naked with Raj. WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER? If there was an Oscar for how to wreck a relationship with someone who was your best friend and the most considerate boyfriend and lover you ever had, she would be the winner, HANDS DOWN.

And now?... It's happening AGAIN! She bumped into Zack at the restaurant, and he said he had a big surprise for her…. He was sure that she would love it. He asked if she wanted to go out. Go out… GO OUT…. REALLY?

She was so mad at Zack, she slammed the door in his face. Yup, no apateasers for him tonight. GOD, he is SO STUPID! She wasn't even dating him… Why would he do that…. Did he think she would go out with him? What kind of a friggin idiot is he?

She needed to figure out what was going on between her and Leonard before she would consider going out with ANYONE…. let alone Zack…

Leonard asked her to Marry her… She said No… More awkwardness… they kept dating…. Then he almost asked her again… She shot him down…. Then he tells her that SHE has to ask HIM if she ever wants to get married… Things are just SO weird right now. She is not sure what's up with her relationship with Leonard. So what does she do? That's right…they are on a little break.

AND NOW ZACK BUYS HER A COSTUME? WHAT's UP WITH THAT?

She was so mad she didn't say she would do it. Still, she didn't say no either. She just slammed the door. Zack went home and the guys went into 4A. All the guys except Leonard. He could see she was upset.

Penny went directly over to the fridge and poured a glass of wine. This seemed to be her go to response for just about anything these days. Nothing seemed to be going right. She couldn't get any auditions to pan out, tips were bad at work, and then there was WORK. The only thing that was worth anything in her pathetic life was her relationship with Leonard and she managed to throw that right in the trash heap.

Leonard knocked on the door. There was no answer. He knocked a second time and he heard from inside. "Zack, can't you take a hint? I'm not in the mood"!

Penny was looking at the closed door with complete disgust. From the other side of the door, she heard, "It's me, Leonard"... Penny took another slug of wine. "Go away Leonard". She waited a little while and then heard, "c'mon, let me in". Penny laid her head back on the couch, "ugh, it's open"...

Leonard slowly opened the door. He really didn't want to see her like this. She was his friend, one of his closest friends. Up until recently, they were dating. Things seemed to be going well, and then…. He did it again…. Pushed too hard and made thing so uncomfortable for Penny she pulled back. She put them on a break until she could figure things out.

Still, he couldn't help himself. He just wanted to make her feel better. He was going to try to take each event as a singular point in time. Baby steps. He would go back to taking things slow. Leonard came into the room and made his way over to the couch and sat down.

Penny turned her head and just said, "I'm not going to that party, Leonard"...

Leonard looked at her; he couldn't believe the anguish he felt because she was unhappy. "Penny, we'll win if we show up with a girl. Just like last time. If we show up with you, it won't even be close. You could go alone, and win. We would only drag you down".

Penny smiled, "Leonard, that's sweet, but I really don't want to go, even if that costume is smokin hot".

Leonard moved closer and put his hand on her knee. "This isn't easy for me, you know. I thought that we would go together this time. And now Zack's bought you that costume and here he is. I mean, it's hard considering you and him are you and him and you know... You and me used to be you and me"...

Penny took another swig, "well, we're ABSOLUTELY NOT me and him. You and I are on a break, remember? I'm NOT seeing ANYONE until I figure US out. Who are you going as anyway"?

Leonard looked confused at her remark. "Well, considering Zack is Superman, I'm going as the Green Lantern again. Anyway, why don't you consider it, it'll be fun. It's been a while since you got your geek on".

Penny moved over closer to him feeling the wine. She put her head on his shoulder. Leonard didn't know what to do. "Hey, they're having a female superhero marathon on the Toon Channel, if you want to get some back story. The party is not for a while, just think about it".

Penny agreed and went to get an afghan to wrap in. She got up and went into the bedroom and came out a short time later in a light camisole and her Hello Kitty shorts. She poured Leonard a glass of wine and snuggled close as Leonard turned on the TV. She made him take off his Jacket and Hoodie. She threw the afghan around them both and started to draw circles on his chest as she leaned on his shoulder. She started on the outside of his shirt and then put her hand under his shirt so she could feel his warm skin. She really liked these times, when she could cuddle with him. Why did things need to be so weird? Why couldn't they just stay the way they were. She really needed to think what was going on in her life. She thought to herself, "I mean, really…. What was Zack thinking…."

Leonard was more than confused at what was happening, but he wasn't about to ask why she wanted to be so close to him. He loved the feeling of her hand on his chest. He gave her a little hug and thought to himself….. baby steps Leonard…. baby steps…..