Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own anything to do with The Big Bang Theory (except DVDs). CBS, Chuck Lorre, and Bill Prady have that honor. I am just a fan.

Chapter 3

Anything Can Happen Thursday

After driving Sheldon home from work Leonard changed and shaved before leaving for Katherine's apartment. He headed down the three flights of stairs and when he reached the lobby he spotted Penny getting her mail.

"Hey Penny."

"Oh hi Leonard. You look nice tonight, got a hot date?" Penny asked teasingly.

"Uh No, it's more of a business dinner. I'd better get going or I'll be late." Leonard replied.

Penny watched Leonard bolt out the door. As she climbed the stairs to her apartment she thought to herself Leonard said it was a business dinner but he was blushing and dressed in his best hoodie. It must be dinner with a woman. I'll see if I can get Sheldon to tell me anything. Or maybe I'll call Bernadette and see if she's heard anything from Howard. I really shouldn't care so much about his love life; I'm the one who broke up with him. He's still my friend though. I don't want to see him hurt... God you'd think I'd be used to these stairs by now. Oh well. At least I don't need a gym membership. Penny went into her apartment and dialed Bernadette.

Leonard knocked on Katherine's door and she opened it dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that read "English Major: You Do The Math." Her red hair was loose and falling about her shoulders.

"I almost didn't recognize you." Leonard blurted out.

Katherine self-consciously ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I have to dress like a grown up at work. It's difficult enough to get my students respect without dressing like one of them. Please come in and make yourself comfortable."

Leonard took a seat in an overstuffed armchair while Katherine walked over to the stove.

"Dinner will be ready shortly. Can I get you a drink?"

Leonard accepted a glass of white wine and talked with Katherine as she finished cooking. He looked around the apartment as they talked and was immediately struck by the number of books. Every wall held bookcases crammed with books and there were books on nearly every horizontal surface. On the coffee table was a framed quote "I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson" Green dominated the color palette of the room, with accents of rose and violet.

Katherine rapidly put the finishing touches on dinner and before long they were seated and enjoying lemon-pepper chicken, rice pilaf and snow peas.

"This is fantastic!" praised Leonard.

"Thank you. I kind of grew up cooking. My family owns a restaurant."

They continued conversing over dinner. Leonard learned that Katherine had grown up Vermont, that she had one younger sister who was still back east and that her parents were still together and just bought a winter place in Florida.

"I don't think my mom could have convinced him except that it's in Fort Myers and Dad couldn't resist being that close to Red Sox spring training." Katherine said shaking her head "He's a die-hard fan."

Leonard supplied similar information about himself and confessed to looking her up online. Katherine laughed and said she had done the same to him before going to the lab.

They discussed their favorite sci-fi novels. Leonard preferred the classics like Verne, Wells, Asimov and Bradbury while Katherine was more into fantasy and alternative history, like Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mercedes Lackey and Eric Flint.

As the meal ended Katherine asked "Shall we save dessert for later?"

"Dessert too?"

"My grandmother taught me that a meal always ends with something sweet."

"Later would be good. I couldn't do justice to it now."

They sat down on the couch to discuss the course. Leonard had been thinking over the project since their last meeting and they discussed the ideas he had come up with and Katherine contributed some new ideas of her own.

"Leonard, would you consider lecturing to the class on each topic? You've been so helpful I want you to get the credit you deserve."

Leonard blushed and asked to think about it.

"Of course. How about dessert now?" Katherine asked. Leonard agreed.

"We've been working hard; how about we take a break and watch some MST3K*?"

"Sounds good."

Katherine put in the Prince of Space episode and brought over tea and slices of orange chiffon cake. They laughed and ate their way through the episode. "Why do you think they have the evil aliens wearing chicken-beak noses?" asked Katherine.

"I don't know. I am almost more disturbed by the chiffon epaulets on the Krankorian leader's outfit. And that they don't appear to be wearing underwear."

They eventually got into a friendly debate over Joel vs. Mike. Katherine preferred Mike and Leonard preferred Joel but they both conceded it was a matter of preference and that both were equally good as hosts. They enjoyed it so much that they decided to put in another episode when the first was done. "Beginning of the End?" suggested Leonard. "Excellent choice." Katherine enthused. "You can never go wrong with Peter Graves and giant insects."

When the movie ended Katherine looked at the clock. "Oh gosh it's already midnight!"

"I'd better be headed home."

"Of course, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you so late."

"Not a problem. I had fun." Leonard said as Katherine walked him to the door. She looked up at him shyly, and then kissed his cheek.

"I had fun too. And I really do appreciate all the help you've given me."

Leonard ducked his head as he said goodnight.

As he drove home and got ready for bed he wondered about the kiss. Did she like him or was she just thanking him for his help.

That night was the first night since the break-up that he didn't dream about Penny.

*MST3K is a popular abbreviation for the show Mystery Science Theater 3000 which aired from 1989 to 1999 on Comedy Central and then the Sci-Fi Channel (now SyFy)

Author note: Thanks everyone for the positive reviews on chapters one and two. I will be adding additional chapters soon. I would love to hear your thoughts, feedback & constructive criticism so please review.

Please PM me if you are interested in beta reading future chapters