Third chapter! Please review! Thanks :-)
TBBT's still not mine!
"Are you sure you want to go to Sweden?" Bernadette asked as she dropped Penny off at the airport.
Penny shrugged. "I do. I'm not gonna talk to him... I just want to see him, that's all,"
"He hasn't talked to us in two years! That should tell us something, right?" Bernadette asked.
"That's the thing!" Penny hadn't meant to sound defensive, but she did. "It's been two years since I last saw him. I just want to see him achieve his dream..."
Bernadette shook her head, knowing that Penny was too stubborn to be talked out of doing anything. "Fine. Just be careful, okay?"
Penny smiled as she pulled her friend into a hug. "Yeah, you too. Wish me luck."
"This is it!" Amy whispered as Sheldon's eyes scanned the auditorium, admiring the grandiose ceremony.
As his name was called, he nervously climbed the stage and mouthed a "thank you" to the presenter. He blinked to adjust his eyes to the brightness of the spotlights, and then started to give his speech.
"I know a lot of things. In fact, I know all there is to know about the universe, but I just can't seem to understand how some people are comfortable speaking in front of a crowd that is big enough to trample them," he was stunned when the audience laughed. "So I would like to make this speech short and "sweet", as some people would say." His eyes went to the back of the auditorium. The spotlights on him were blinding, yet he recognized the blonde woman at the back of the auditorium who was watching him intently. "I would like to thank my friends who couldn't be here tonight-they'd know who they are-for tolerating me. My mother, because I promised to thank her as soon as I received my Nobel, the committee for choosing to recognize my contributions to science, and to my girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler, who has been nothing but patient with me. Thank you."
He went down the stage to the cheers of the audience. "That went well," he said to Amy as he sat back down beside her.
"Well? You were great!" Amy hugged him, and even though he felt uncomfortable, he hugged her back. For once in his life, he was letting his emotions pour out of him. "Congratulations. And thank you for thanking me."
"Thank you," he replied. "And you're welcome."
Amy held his hand for the rest of the ceremony.
Later that night Penny sat by the bar drinking a glass of scotch. She had seen Sheldon receive his award earlier; she had seen him happy, and that sight of him was enough to make her happy.
"Penny," she heard a voice behind her, and she turned in her stool to meet the tall, thin figure that is Sheldon Cooper.
"Sheldon," she breathed. He was dressed in his normal attire now, so unlike the man in the suit that she had seen onstage hours before. "You're in a bar."
"Yes, well... I saw you earlier during the awards ceremony, and since I couldn't get REM sleep, I decided to find you." He replied.
Penny nodded. "Oh."
He regarded her with calm, blue eyes. "Why did you come?" His tone was soft, yet insistent.
"Because..." she stammered. "Because I wanted to see you get your Nobel," she replied.
"I have avoided you for two years. Why did you come, Penny?" He asked again, not content with her answer before.
"Why have you avoided us for two years, Sheldon?" She asked instead.
"Penny..." He sighed. "I have avoided you for two years and look what is happening to me. I have a Nobel prize. My contributions to science are being recognized. I am now respected by those who once mocked me. All because I did not let myself get distracted by you." He paused. "I am better off without you."
Penny's eyes stung with the tears that threatened to fall. "You're better off... without us?"
"Without you," He answered. He wouldn't admit it, but pushing Penny away was hard for him. "You came into my life with your coffee thievery and your relationship with Leonard and your dislocated arm and your spaghetti with little cut up hot dogs... You are the distraction, Penny."
Penny's pride held back her tears. "Oh, okay then..." Sheldon watched her. That was one thing he loved about Penny-the way that she can keep her head high in spite of what happened to her.
"I'm happy you achieved your dream." she said softly.
He smiled. "Me, too."
Penny smiled through her sadness. "I guess this is goodbye, then," she replied. "Does Amy make you happy, Sheldon?" Sheldon nodded silently.
"Then never let her go, alright?" Sheldon nodded again. "Goodbye, Sheldon."
"Bye, Penny." He replied, and he watched her walk away.
He loved her. And he had lost her. Well, it's certainly better this way, he thought. Leonard, you lucky man.
"I love you, Penny." He said softly, thankful that Penny did not have Vulcan hearing.
That concludes the 3rd chapter! How is it so far? Anything you guys want to see? Just review!
By the way I researched about how Nobel season goes and I read that the awardees give lectures days prior to the ceremony, so let's just assume that Sheldon and Amy have been in Sweden longer than Penny has. Just saying.