Chapter 2 Keep it Simple

Stained

Leonard started to get out of bed to clean up the mess. Penny though was just standing there now with her hand covering her mouth as tears were starting to stream down her face. He reached down to the floor and started scooping the food back into the container.

Leonard stood with the container as Penny stepped forward and crushed him in a hug. The food container was between them in his hand. Leonard could feel the sticky sauce soaking through his t-shirt. Leonard wrapped his free hand around Penny and gently held her lower back.

She was sobbing now, "It's okay Penny. It may be nothing we won't know until after the biopsy. It's okay."

Penny stepped back after a few more seconds. She wiped her eyes with her hands. Leonard was looking into her eyes. He quickly looked down to his now soiled t-shirt.

"I better change out of this."

He was very confused about what to do or feel at this very moment. At least removing the now sticky shirt was some kind of action. Leonard turned to his dresser placing the container on top then stripped off his t-shirt. He opened the second drawer and got another. Leonard put the shirt on as he turned. Penny was now sitting on the bed. Her hand was back to her mouth but she was no longer sobbing. Leonard walked to the door and put his old red robe on. He sat down beside her on the bed. Then slid his arm around her and she leaned into his shoulder.

Leonard just held her and waited.

Penny moved her hand to his chest finally and spoke very softly, "If it is cancer, what then?"

Leonard thought about what the doctor had said. The steps were pretty vivid right now.

"Then more tests to determine the stage of the disease. Once they know the stage then they'll suggest the treatment."

He didn't want to talk about the treatments just yet.

Penny stayed with her head on his shoulder. Leonard didn't move he just held her.

Moving on

Leonard finally felt her straighten up. He took the opportunity to rise from the bed.

"I better get the scrub brush and some cleaner for this spot. When I spilt a blue Slurpee on Sheldon's carpet he had a fit, thus spawning, 'the no food or drink in the bedroom clause', in the roommate agreement. I'm not sure it even applies to my room."

Leonard moved to the kitchen, grabbing a brush and spray cleaner. He turned and noticed that Sheldon was nowhere to be seen.

"Sheldon, Sheldon! Great now Sheldon had got out, maybe Penny left the door open." He chuckled slightly as he headed down the hall.

Leonard saw that Penny was now lying on the bed, her head on his pillow. He got down on the carpet and started scrubbing the stain. He was surprised that it came out pretty easily. Leonard stood and looked over at Penny. She was staring at him, her green eyes rimmed red.

"I have to go round up Sheldon, he's escaped again. I'll be right back."

Penny just nodded.

Herding

Leonard stood on the fourth floor landing trying to decide if he should go up or down. He started up the stairs to the roof.

Sheldon was standing on the roof several feet from the edge looking up at the moon.

Leonard walked up beside him, "Hey Sheldon, out for a little star gazing?"

Sheldon continued to stare upward, "I'm sorry Leonard. I heard Penny crying and realized why you wanted to keep it private for a while."

Leonard nodded, "Come on she's done crying, come back down and catch up on the Godzilla marathon."

Sheldon turned and started walking toward the stairs, "You know Leonard, Hodgkin's Lymphoma has an 85% or better survival rate for at least 5 years."

Leonard followed behind him, "Sheldon if I gave you a parachute and told you that you had an 85% chance of surviving a jump off the roof would you jump or just decide to take the stairs?"

"Point taken"

Dreaming

Leonard walked back into his room to find Penny asleep in her work clothes in his bed. Her head was on his pillow, she snored ever so softly. Leonard reached over and pulled the comforter up over her. Then softly brushed the hair off her forehead and kissed it. She stirred for a moment then was asleep again. He considered getting in bed on the other side but thought better of it.

"I wonder which Godzilla movie is on"

He closed the door gently to the bedroom as he left.

Leonard awoke on the couch not really sure when he'd fallen asleep. He thought he could remember 'The Return of Godzilla" had been on. He was covered in a blanket on the couch. What had woken him was a hand resting softly on his shoulder. Leonard blinked several times and looked up at her standing by him. She'd changed into his gray dress shirt.

"Come to bed sweetie, I don't want to sleep alone."

Leonard nodded as he stood letting Penny lead him toward his bedroom. She helped him out of his robe and into the bed. The spot where he lay down was still warm. He felt Penny crawl in the bed and turned toward her. She buried her face into his chest with her arms tucked up against him. Leonard put his right arm over her and closed his eyes.

"Leonard, I never did eat. I'm still hungry."

Leonard kissed the top of her head, "There's lots of food in the fridge."

"I noticed you haven't been eating much."

Leonard closed his eyes and smiled before sleepily adding, "I always get extra in case you come over, you just haven't been around much. I don't even like Thai chicken that's your favorite. I wonder if it will come out of my shirt."

That's the end of the first Episode. I hoped you liked it so far

SOK