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This is just a two chapter story
Penny was a lot smarter than people thought, she wasn't a dumb blonde but she had decided on her date to utilise her acting skills, she knew exactly why Raj had asked her out and she had found out from Bernadette via Howard that Raj had changed the venue from somewhere in Pasadena to drinks at The Four Seasons in Beverley Hills before they went to The Boulevard restaurant inside the hotel that Raj had booked and she wanted to impress Raj, but not enough that he would see through her.
After telling Amy & Bernadette of her plans she put on a knee length black dress with just a hunt of cleavage and black heels and she settled down and waited for Raj to pick her up, he had text her to say he would be by at 645pm, but as she was waiting there was a knock at the door, looking through the spy hole she saw it was Leonard and was tempted to ignore the knock but answered anyway, Leonard came storming in, despite Penny's protests
"Leonard, what do you want?
"Penny I don't want you to go out with Raj tonight, he is just using you to get to me" replied Leonard
"I really don't think this is anything to do you with you Leonard, I am going out with him whether you like it or not"
"I am just worried that he's going to hurt you"
"Well you know what I am a big girl and can look after myself, he will be here in a minute and I don't want you to be here when he arrives" said Penny
"You are making a big mistake going out with him Penny, you will see that" said Leonard before leaving the apartment
Penny was confused by Leonard's reaction, deciding there was nothing she could do about it for now, she turned back to the TV just as there was another knock on the door, she answered it and found Raj at the door
"Hello Penny, would you care to escort me to the limo? Asked Raj holding his arm out for her
"Sure" said Penny taking her key from the bowl and picking up her little clutch bag with her things in it, they walked down the stairs to the street and Penny found that Raj had hired a gold coloured limousine for the two of them and an ice bucket with Champagne
"Would you like a drink Penny? Asked Raj as the limo set off towards Beverley Hills
"Yes why not" said Penny as Raj poured her a glass "What made you ask me on a date?
"Well we are both single now and I thought it would be a good idea, I never imagined you would say yes" replied Raj
"Raj you are a very sweet guy, any girl would be lucky to have you" said Penny reaching over towards Raj and gently stroking his arm
"Really, well maybe you could be the lucky girl that is my next girlfriend, you know any girl I have I will treat very well indeed" said Raj offering Penny more champagne
"No more for me, thanks, maybe your selective mutism has held you back in meeting the right girl" said Penny
"I am hoping that after tonight, you will be that woman Penny" said Raj
"Well we will see how well tonight goes shall we" said Penny
They carried on chatting as the limo drove through the night towards Beverley Hills and shortly afterwards they arrived at the hotel, after telling the driver that he would call him when he was ready to leave, Raj tipped him and escorted Penny into the hotel and they were directed to the hotel bar, where Raj insisted on Penny having the most expensive Champagne on the menu, Raj felt things were going well especially as Penny was flirting with him, he felt loosened up now especially as he was able to talk with a drink inside him, shortly afterwards they were shown to the dining area and Raj was surprised to see that Amy and Bernadette were seated at the next table
"What are you two doing here? Asked Raj
"Oh we decided to treat ourselves to dinner, we very rarely get to enjoy such luxuries" replied Bernadette in a deadpan voice
"Did you know they were coming here"? asked Raj to Penny
"No how could I have known, you didn't tell me, perhaps its just a coincidence" replied Penny turning and winking at her two friends as the waiter appeared and took their orders, Raj felt the evening was turning into a disaster as he couldn't put his plan to seduce Penny into place especially with Amy and Bernadette listening to everything he and Penny were talking about.
Once their meal was finished Raj asked Penny if she would like to go dancing somewhere nearby, Penny was enthusiastic about it and after she included Bernadette and Amy in the invitation, Raj decided that he needed to be alone with Penny and whisked her off to the Limo and he told the driver to go before Bernadette and Amy left the hotel
"Raj why are we not waiting for Amy & Bernadette? Asked Penny
"Because this night was supposed to be about you and me, I don't want anybody else trying to muscle in and ruin our night together" replied Raj
"I hardly think they will ruin anything, they are our friends after all" replied Penny taking her phone out and texting her friends
"Penny would you like to come back to my place instead? Asked Raj hopefully
"Oh Raj you are naughty, I have had a very good night but I would prefer to head home now"
"Maybe I will join you" said Raj leaning in to kiss Penny
"What are you doing? Asked Penny leaning away from him
"I want to kiss you, I like you and want to be with you"
"Raj I don't think it's appropriate right now and I think you know exactly why I don't want to kiss you"
"What are you talking about" replied Raj looking confused
"The only reason you asked me out was to get back at Leonard and I only agreed because I felt I owed you a good night after our drunken mistake the other day"
"Penny this is not about Leonard and myself and I don't think it was a mistake"
"Well I do and whilst I am happy to be friends, I am not going to get in the middle of your anger at Leonard for dating your sister"
"So what was tonight about" asked Raj as the limo pulled up outside Penny's block
"Well I'm not proud of it but you are not the only one that can use people" said Penny taking the rest of the champagne, exiting the car and slamming the door without saying goodbye and running up the stairs to her apartment
Looking out of the window she saw that Raj and the car had gone and Amy and Bernadette were pulling up in a cab, shortly afterwards she let them in and thanked them for agreeing to join her on her plan, they drank the rest of the champagne and the girls had a sleepover before they went home the next day
Much later after Penny had said goodbye to her friends, Leonard came to see her
"Penny I think we need to talk, I know I had no right in telling you not to see Raj and I want to apologise"
"Its fine, you and he have some issues and I told Raj I wasn't getting in the middle of it and I am just as bad because I used Raj last night by letting him pay for everything and including Bernie and Amy in on the plan because I knew exactly what he was trying to do" replied Penny
"So you didn't actually want to go out with him? Asked Leonard
"No, anyway are you sure you are allowed to be alone with me, you know Priya hates you seeing me"
"Yes well Priya and I are over, she's going back to India next week, she was only here temporarily and Raj knew that but didn't tell me"
"Leonard I am sorry to hear that"
"Me too but these things happen" said Leonard looking sad
"Leonard do you think in time we could get back together?"
"I think that's a definite maybe" said Leonard smiling at her
"I am feeling a little bit bad about Raj though, maybe I should apologise?
"Penny just leave it for now, if he hasn't text you since last night then forget about it, he will get over it, I am sorry that you were in the middle of it though and I don't think any of us come off very well from the whole mess" said Leonard
"Maybe you are right" said Penny
"Anyway I have to pack up all the stuff that Priya has left and meet her to return it all, see you later Penny" said Leonard standing up and hugging Penny for a long time before leaving the apartment
Penny smiled to herself, things had worked out well in a roundabout sort of way, she wasn't overly happy at how she had treated Raj but she had her reasons for it and would deal with any repercussions should they occur