Penny shouldn't have been shocked when everyone seemingly picked sides. She stood in her doorway the next morning; she had Bernadette, Howard, Raj, Emily and even Stewart standing before her looking at her expectantly. All of them were going to gather up Amy and take her to Howard and Bernadette's, so they could talk to her, console her.

"I kind of already had plans for this morning" Penny replied with an only a slightly guilty look. "I mean I want to be there for Amy-" she was cut off before she could finish.

"Oh! Have you and Leonard made up?" Bernadette asked hopefully.

News sure did travel fast in their social group. Leonard was such a gossip girl.

"No-" she was cut off again when apartment 4A's door opened and closed.

Everyone in the hall turned back to look and see Sheldon standing there. He had on his members' only jacket, his messenger bag across his chest. He looked confused to see the group at first.

"Good morning, friends and acquaintances... Penny" he gave her a little head nod.

Penny sighed, not at him, but the group. She grabbed up her purse and stepped out of the door. The sound of her keys inserted into the lock caused everyone to look at her.

"So you're hanging out with Sheldon" this one came from Emily.

"Yup" Penny popped the 'P' as she moved to stand next to Sheldon.

"I'm assuming none of you will be going to the farmers market with us this morning?" Sheldon asked. It was innocent enough.

"Farmers market?" This was Raj.

"No... We're going to get Amy... Cheer her up" Howard said. He was giving the two this look.

Sheldon's eyes brightened a bit at hearing that. "Oh, should we go as well?" Sheldon looked at Penny hopefully.

Before Penny could explain it to him more delicately as to why that wasn't a good idea. Howard cut in.

"Why would she want to see you?" Howard's tact when it came to Sheldon was always never present. He liked to be blunt with the taller man.

Sheldon's eyes turned to the shorter man; he looked a combination of bewildered and hurt.

Howard was almost taken back by the look, nevertheless he soldered on. "You broke her heart, the last person she wants to see is you" Howard pointed out.

There was an odd moment in the hallway of everyone just standing there awkwardly.

"Okay we should go" Bernadette spoke up first. As the group walked past, she leaned towards Penny, "we'll be at our place whenever you're done with him" Bernadette whispered.

Penny was a little shocked. She really was. Why were they being so cold towards Sheldon?

The group left them alone in the hall. Penny had a mixture of emotions moving through her at once.

Sheldon clinched his jaw. "People forget that I can hear everything" Sheldon's voice was low and sad. "If you wish to tag along with them... Go ahead. I see how it is now" although it's always been this way, he wasn't that inept when it came to social interactions and everyone just tolerated his presence until they found a way out, it still hurt him.

Penny was still quiet and Sheldon was turning back to his apartment. "They have a waffle food truck at the farmers market today. Drove down from Oregon." Penny's voice sounded light and happy.

Sheldon glanced at her, head bowed. "I can't get there via the bus, Penny" his voice was sad.

She couldn't stand hearing him sound like that. And it was far too often these days.

"Well that's why we're driving!" Penny said with a smile. "C'mon Moon-Pie, wasting daylight" Penny lightly tugged on his jacket before she turned to the stairs.

Sheldon breathed out a sort of happy sigh. "You haven't called me that in quite some time" he was almost grinning as he followed her down the steps. "Only Meemaw can call me that."

[E=mc2]

The car ride was filled with Sheldon's "farmer's market facts" and Penny listened with little head nods and small smiles.

The night before, after they had consoled each other and drank more tea, Penny had mentioned the Farmers Market and that she had wanted to go to on Saturday morning. Sheldon had thought about and decided that he would like to go with her.

And here they were, driving to Santa Monica on a Saturday morning.

Sheldon glanced at her, "you don't actually want to hear this do you?" He asked suddenly.

Penny furrowed her brow and looked at him when they got a stop light. "Oh you stopped just when you were getting to the good part, I want to know how they became popular again" she said as she looked at him.

Sheldon studied her for a moment. He smiled just a bit, "in the late 70's..."

Sheldon started up again, Penny smiled, this was the Sheldon she knew and loved.

[E=mc2]

"We're here to support you" Bernadette said as she finished off the groups round of well wishes. They had each taken turns telling her they were there for her.

"Thank you all" Amy replied with a tight smile. She noticed a couple of people missing.

"Leonard and Penny went to Vegas yesterday to get married" Raj said. He noticed her slightly disappointed look in not seeing Penny.

Amy looked shocked. "Oh wow?! I had no idea. Why?"

"Guess they wanted to get it over with" Howard said. "But apparently it didn't happen. They're back now" he finished.

"But you know what? Let's not talk about them... This is about Amy" Bernadette tried to change the subject.

Amy noticed the tension and figured something had happened, and she reasoned that was why Penny wasn't here. 'My besties heart must be broken as well... She must be just a miserable as I am' Amy thought.

[E=mc2]

"Sheldon!" Penny was laughing and almost falling over as she lightly shoved Sheldon back.

Sheldon huffed confused, "you asked me to feed you some... I didn't mean for it to drip onto you" Sheldon replied as he tried to wipe some of the maple syrup that had dripped onto his jacket.

Penny was still smiling when she walked back up to him, "I'm shocked you were actually going to feed me some of your waffle" she replied as she used a napkin to help him clean his jacket.

"I had another fork" was his simple reply.

They had gotten to the farmers market in good time and with it still being early, they went to the waffle truck first. They each got different toppings and Penny had teasingly asked for a bite of his, she didn't think he'd actually do it.

After he was cleaned up, they kept walking, it was nice and normal. Penny always found it amazing how normal it was to just walk and do stuff with Sheldon, she never felt pressured to act a certain way, nor did he seem to really care. He liked to talk and explain everything that he saw. Sometimes it was nice, she retained a lot more than she realized, some days she'd randomly tell a fact to a co-worker and they'd be impressed. Hanging out with Sheldon was easy. Nice and easy.

She kept debating on whether or not to buy nearly everything she saw in the stands. It was all just so cute, but she was a professional window shopper after all.

Sheldon always found this fascinating; he liked to see what made Penny happy. It differed greatly from what he enjoyed, so it was interesting to watch her react to jewelry, bags, and little handmade knickknacks. He silently walked alongside her, observing and listening as she gushing about this or that. And then he'd see something he knew some facts about and he was off again. They took turns.

Sheldon got excited about some antique trains for sale and so he stopped and was chatting up the elderly couple that ran the stand. This was the first stand he had shown any excitement for.

Penny watched him, amused; he could be really cute sometimes. She realized he was his most normal and not as wacky when he was with her. She started to notice it about a year ago. How'd he'd go 0 to 60 with Leonard or even Amy. But a sudden calm would come over him when she was in his presence. It's why spending that whole summer with him was fun, why when they had dinner together she could handle it... Why that "love test" they did was so easy.

"What do you think, Penny?" Sheldon asked suddenly.

She was tossed from her thoughts, "about what sweetie?" She asked stepping closer. She noticed his features soften when she called him that. Yeah it had been a while since she had used those terms. She had backed off a little bit. But she liked calling him that.

"I'm debating on purchasing one of these trains... But I can't choose" he said with a huff.

Penny looked at the toys, one was mostly black, and the other was yellow and red. "Pick that one." She pointed to the red one. Her eyes momentarily going to his flash t-shirt he wore.

Sheldon nodded. "I'll have to agree" he stated and then the older man picked up the train and began to pack it up.

Penny watched the man and then she leaned into Sheldon slightly. He didn't budge.

Suddenly her phone started to vibrate. She pulled it from her back pocket and saw who was calling. "It's Amy" Penny said, she showed Sheldon the phone screen.

He frowned a little. "You can speak to her if you want to... I'm well aware that she doesn't want to talk to me" he replied gently. He took the nice paper bag that contained his train and handed the man some money.

Penny felt a little bit guilty for not going with the group to see her. so she stepped away from Sheldon and answered the call. "Amy hi!" Penny greeted, probably overly cheerful.

"Penny, it is so nice to hear your tantalizing voice" Amy replied in her monotone manner.

"How are you Ames?" Penny decided to cut to the chase.

"I am doing okay. Although I found out about you and Leonard… how are you?" Amy asked.

Penny glanced over at Sheldon and saw him looking around another booth with a table of small wood items. "I'm okay… hey we should have a girls night, we can talk more than" Penny suggested.

"That would be wonderful! Penny I heard that you were hanging out with Sheldon… how is he?" she asked.

Penny glanced at where the tall man was. he was looking down at a small child who was talking and pointing at something, and he was replying and explaining what it was, the girls mom standing nearby looking confused as Sheldon spoke, fortunately the little girl looked fascinated.

"He's… hanging in there" Penny replied. She wasn't going to tell her that they were having fun and not thinking about any of this relationship crap that they were currently dealing with.

"Oh good…" Amy almost sounded disappointed. "Raj told me that you're both being good friends to each other and helping each other out" Amy's tone was odd again.

"Yeah… hey look Ames, I gotta go, but we will have that girl's night okay?" Penny asked.

"Of course! Talk to later Bestie!" and Amy hung up.

Penny looked at her phone for a moment before she walked back over to Sheldon who was alone again. "Our public educational system is severely lacking in anthropological studies" Sheldon said with a frown as she approached him.

"Honey, that little girl was what… four? That's why she was asking you stuff" Penny pointed out.

"Oh, I don't mind the little girl asking me… it was her mother who had to google something I said to make sure I wasn't making it up" Sheldon almost rolled his eyes.

Penny laughed a little. Yes he was an interesting one. She shook her head smiled a little and lightly pulled on his sleeve so they could start walking.

Penny had ended up purchasing a new scarf, a handmade notebook and a cute potted plant of succulents.

Their conversations were easy, mostly about their jobs, some new tv shows and movies coming up that they wanted to see and Sheldon supplied random facts anytime it seemed to fit.

They had stopped for lunch and were enjoying some sandwiches from a French food truck.

"Today has been really nice... I needed it" Penny said between eating her potato chips.

Sheldon nodded, he had been silently eating, lost in thought it seemed the whole time. "I am enjoying my day with you as well, Penny" Sheldon said. He looked back at his food after this. "I'm well aware that when a female friend is hurting emotionally, that it is common practice for all females to flock to her and aid in helping her to feel better" Sheldon said in almost one breath. Penny waited for him to continue. "I realize that everyone thinks you should be with Amy today. But if you were... I'd be alone in my apartment..." Sheldon seemed to lose focus at what he was trying to say. He was getting flustered.

Penny wanted to cry, she wanted to march up to their friends and yell at them. "You're hurting too... You need someone today as well" Penny said gently.

"But it seems like everyone doesn't agree with you... They don't seem to think I need anyone" Sheldon replied. "And while I understand where their assumptions might be correct in that notion-"

"Doesn't matter! When have I ever left you alone when you were feeling awful?" Penny asked. She was frustrated.

Sheldon blinked, "never... You've always been there in some way..." He gave a tiny smile.

"Exactly, you're my Moon-Pie and I'm here for you, for anything, doesn't matter what. Just like you're always there for me" Penny said.

"Speaking of which, how are you?" Sheldon asked. He tried to ignore her use of a possessive noun, tried to ignore the happy pitter patter of his heart at her saying this to him.

Penny sighed, "I'm... Well I'm just confused. I need to decide what I'm going to do. If I'm actually going to marry Leonard or not."

Sheldon's shoulders slumped and his face went to his more stoic calm one. "I see." was his only reply. Worry crept in again, seeped into his chest and dropped to his stomach. If she married Leonard, she'd be gone and he'd lose his friend. His true, selfless, kind friend.

Penny noticed his change but wasn't sure what it meant. "But I need to talk to him." She added softy.

"Just as I need to talk to Amy" Sheldon finally said. He glanced down at his food. Did he really want to talk to her?

"Funny..." Sheldon paused as he looked up at Penny. "I haven't thought about Amy at all while we've been here... It's been. I haven't been sad" Sheldon finally admitted.

Penny smiled warmly. "Yeah I haven't thought about Leonard and his stupid glasses at all either." She said before she sipped her juice.

"Amy wouldn't have helped me pick out a train. She would have suggested I bring the trains I have here to sell them off... Get rid of my... "Childish obsession" as she would put it" he looked at Penny as he spoke. She wasn't a huge fan of trains. But she never told him it was foolish or asked him to stop.

"Leonard hates farmers markets... Something about there being nothing to do but walk around and look at stuff... I have no idea... Doesn't make any sense." Penny said with a slightly bitter chuckle.

Sheldon nodded. "I'm sorry he hurt you" Sheldon finally said. He left off that he felt that Leonard was awful for her. That he was selfish and that he ogled other woman. That Leonard didn't deserve her love and affections.

Penny looked at him, "I'm sorry she hurt you." She replied back. She didn't mention how she thought Amy and he were awful for each other. That yes Sheldon might be a bad boyfriend but Amy wasn't the best girlfriend for him. That he needed someone who was more patient and knew how to deal with him. Also understood that he was Sheldon and he just didn't have a clue sometimes. That two people who were so alike in some ways were not the best couplings.

Sheldon gave her a tiny smile and Penny smiled in return. It was a tourist asking her if she could take her and her families photo that interrupted them.

As Penny stood to take the photo, Sheldon got to cleaning up their lunch. Tossing things into the proper bins and gathering their few bags.

"We should head back" Penny finally said.

"Yes. By the time we get back, it'll be dinner time and then laundry" Sheldon said casually.

"Oh yes laundry night. So exciting" it wasn't said in a sarcastic manner and Penny was simply teasing him.

"Sarcasm?" he asked, she noticed his shoulders slouched a little bit.

"No, no it wasn't" she said with a smile before they started off to where she had parked her car.

Sheldon looked calm and happy.

[E=mc2]

"For spending the day at a farmers market we certainly didn't get anything a farmer would make" Sheldon's voice filled the stairwell as they walked up the steps.

Penny was trying not to laugh at what he said, but sometimes he could be rather funny.

"Where have you two been?" Leonard's nasally voice questioned.

Both Penny and Sheldon looked up as they finally got to the top step.

"Oh hello Leonard" Sheldon said casually as he walked to 4A. "I'll just deposit my purchase in my room and then I'll meet you at your place for a movie before laundry?" Sheldon asked oblivious to the sudden depressing tone the hallway took on.

Penny looked away from Leonard's hurt face and at her tall friend. "Um... I think I should talk with Leonard first" Penny pointed out.

Sheldon was confused and then looked at Leonard and then seemed to remember all that happened only 24 hours ago. "Oh right of course. Well I'll see you at 8:15" Sheldon gave a little nod before he disappeared into his apartment. Leaving Leonard and Penny in the quiet hall.

"You went to the farmers market with Sheldon?" Leonard asked confused.

"He needed me... Amy just broke up with him... He needed a friend Leonard. I needed a friend" she said. She was annoyed that her happy day was turning out this way but she knew it had to happen.

"You could have talked to me... Besides Sheldon is Sheldon... He doesn't need anyone to talk to... It's his own fault that she broke up with him in the first place" Leonard grumbled.

Penny had to take a deep breath in order to control herself. "And whose fault is it in this relationship?" She snapped.

Leonard jerked slightly, "Look I said I was sorry!" He started again. "It was a onetime thing! A mistake!" He added quickly. "I love you!"

Penny narrowed her eyes at him. "You know the whole time we dated... I never looked at another man... Never even considered kissing anyone... Even when we broke up I still thought of you" Penny said oddly calm. "And yet... The second a pretty girl bats her eyelashes at you... You cave. You break. Your libido is more powerful than your self-control. You're too busy thinking with your dick and not with your heart or your supposedly intelligent brain!" Penny ended with a shout. Tears that she was trying not to shed spilled from her eyes.

Leonard grimaced. He wanted to reach out to her and calm her down. Comfort her. "I don't know what you want from me!" He finally said. "Clearly I was stupid to think that telling you was a good idea!" He finally said.

"Why? Because I'd be happy and we'd be married and we'd have kids all while you smugly kept that secret that you cheated on me?" She asked.

Leonard shut his eyes. "Look... I just kissed her! I mean I see her at Cal Tech every day and we act like nothing happened! It meant nothing!" Leonard said. And he quickly regretted it.

"She works with you!?" Penny shouted. She couldn't believe this. She shook her head and looked at him, trying his puppy eyes and looking pathetic. She thought back over the last 8 and half years and thought of what they had. Thought of how quickly he'd jump in the sack with a new girl the second she wasn't available. Thought of how needy he was. How they only shared sex and well... That was it.

Penny glanced at her ring and although it was cliché she pulled it off her finger and threw it back at him. "I just can't anymore" Penny said tiredly.

Leonard had caught the ring. "So this is it? Just giving up on us?" He asked. There was tone in his voice. An accusatory one.

Penny shook her head. "You did that the minute you made out with another girl." She replied before she turned and walked to her apartment.

Sheldon was sitting in his spot. He was conflicted. Every part of him wanted to run out the door and comfort Penny. But he knew he couldn't. And then he heard a slam and then Leonard marched into their apartment.

Sheldon looked at his roommate for a moment, debating on what to say.

"Don't say anything to me Sheldon..." Leonard warned as he stopped pacing. He suddenly took a deep breath and glanced at the ring in his hand. "this is all your fault you know" Leonard grumbled.

Sheldon breathed in and then out. He finally figured out what he was going to say. Being told to shut up be damned. "I don't understand why you're upset with me, I had nothing to do with what happened between you and Penny" Sheldon said.

"It's your fault because you called us when we were about to get married! with something that honestly doesn't concern me or her!" Leonard shouted.

Sheldon jumped up from the couch and dropped his gaze. He hated yelling, hated confrontation. But he clinched his jaw and looked up at Leonard. "I needed a friend to talk to… I was…" Sheldon didn't even know what he had wanted. He knew he wouldn't have gotten it had Penny not answered the phone.

Leonard almost felt sorry, almost felt like a jerk for throwing what was how own fault at Sheldon, but then he looked at the ring and he shook his head and marched back to his room. Door slamming shut.

Sheldon stood there and squeezed his eyes shut. He had wanted to cry since yesterday. He wanted to punch a wall or scream. He took in a breath in and then he sat back down. He sighed and glanced at his watch, he had two hours before laundry was to be done. At this point he figured Penny wasn't coming.

A/N: sooooo… I'm overwhelmed a little bit with the comments; I'm so happy and stunned and thank you all so much! I'm just nervous every time I post a chapter; I am enjoying writing this though. It's slightly lethargic and I feel like the show didn't allow Sheldon and Penny to react properly to either individual situations. One thing I hated was that they had Sheldon being ignored by everyone, not taking how he was feeling into account at all. They had showing up and standing outside of windows… treating him as if he cheated on Amy or he hurt her somehow… it's really odd. I'm still trying to figure out how terrible I'll have Leonard act… and which of the friends will turn into good friends to Sheldon and Penny. I really do feel like that if Sheldon had Penny at his side, she'd distract him. And it's clear, even on the show, she is his go to person, she makes him happy. And tbh… it goes the other way as well, Penny wouldn't do anything for him if she didn't care so much for him. (I feel like they have Penny toss on sarcastic comments half the time… like the dog one… to make the moment not seem as "shippy" for viewers… because she is literally picking Sheldon over her… Leonard.) So yeah. Let me know what you think! And thanks!