Disclaimer: i do not own Big Bang theory, the Castle in the sky

Sheldon woke up later the next morning curled tightly around Penny. He watched her quietly as her chest rose up and down, and the sunbeams played on her grey skin. Sighing slightly he removed his arms from around her form and walked to the restroom, the thoughts that had plagued him the night before were still there, Penny had confessed her greatest secret to him, and was trusting that he wouldn't let harm come to her. While this touched him deeply he was also left him with a lot of questions, he knew that he would have to come up with a plan, he kept reminding himself that his main concern was keeping Penny safe. How are we going to get out of the country without being stopped, he quietly wondered to himself when suddenly a brilliant idea popped into his head. He wasted no time in calling the one person who he knew could help him. "Leonard this is Sheldon, I am calling to inform you that I am in acting the practical alien predicament clause in our roommate agreement, please refer to you copy of the agreement if you have forgotten and come to Texas as soon as you can."

"Sheldon what's going on?" Leonard asked before the line went dead. Turning to his companions he said, "Looks like we are going to be going on a road trip. Leonard hung up the phone and sighed, "Raj will you get the emergency bags, Howard we are going to need outfits 3, 6, 10, 53, and 67 from the list Sheldon gave you when you joined the group." The three men were about to leave when Leonard's phone rang the id said Leslie so he answered, "Hey hon what's up? He asked only to be greeted by a foreign voice, which informed him the aliens had his girlfriend and were prepared to harm her if the physicist didn't do as they instructed. Leonard listened to the instructions and after making sure Leslie was alright agreed that he would do all he could to get both Penny and Sheldon to come to New York. Great I guess it comes down to whom I fear more, angry Sheldon and Penny or a group of super intelligent aliens, thinking about it for a moment Leonard decided that the wrath of his roommate and friend was far scarier than any other life form from this galaxy or another.

Leonard sat in his plane seat quietly trying not to think of Leslie captive, he knew that helping Sheldon was the right thing to do. As he looked at the new sleeping nerds across the aisle a smile appeared on his face, Raj's head was on Howard's shoulder while his right hand was clasped around the other mans who was holding it secularly in his lap. Leonard laughed as he remembered the last couple he had seen in the same position.

Flashback 6 months prior

One clear day Sheldon came to Leonard with some interesting questions about dating; Leonard automatically assumed that the answers he provided were going to be used to woo Amy so he gave his roommate the best advice he had. Two hours later Sheldon entered the apartment with a huge smile on his face, about two minutes later Penny skipped into the room with her copy of The Castle in the sky. Placing the movie in the DVD player she moved into her unofficial spot, and waited while Sheldon readied the movie snacks. Sheldon took his spot when his preparations were complete he looked up at Leonard and after receiving a nod of conformation from Penny asked Leonard if he wanted to join them, Leonard decided that he would watch the movie as it was his favorite Hayao Miyazaki film. He soon found himself engrossed in the wonder that was the movie; it wasn't until around the time Sheeta and Pazu were in the mines that Leonard noticed that not only was Penny's head resting on Sheldon's shoulder but her hand was resting secularly in his lap entwined with the lanky physicist's own hand. Leonard decided not to say anything until the end of the film.

"Okay what's going on here, Sheldon I thought you were going to ask Amy on a date?" Leonard blurted out before the credits were done. Both Penny and Sheldon smiled at each other and turned to the short physicist beside them, Penny motioned for Sheldon to explain.

"Leonard I don't know where you got that preposterous idea but I had no intention of asking Amy on a date, over the last few months I have started to feel an increasing attraction to Penny after doing some research I came to the conclusion that me and Penny needed to undergo a shift in our relationship. The only reason I waited so long to act was because I was uncertain of her feelings for me. After receiving adequate advice from you this afternoon I decided to talk to Penny, and the rest as they say is history. Leonard I am sorry if I over stepped the bounds of our friendship but I am certain that I am in love with Penny, she has over the last few years become so much more than a friend to me."

Leonard took a few moments to digest all that Sheldon had said, he knew that his friend wasn't lying, after taking a quick look at Penny he saw the joy in her eyes, he couldn't remember a time that she had looked so happy, with a smile of his own he said, "Guys I am just happy that you are happy, Sheldon don't worry about it, I was just a little surprised, now if you'll excuse me it is late, Good night Penny."

Present day

Leonard was certain that there was just as much love in that relationship as he saw in the two men across from him. He knew that that revelation changed everything he now was not just helping Penny and Sheldon out of fear but because it was the right thing to do. Two minutes after the plane had landed he received a text from Sheldon with specific instruction on how to get to the place where he was hiding. Leonard, Raj and Howard all piled in the blue Ford Focus they had rented and started off on a 4 hour long drive. Hopefully the aliens would be patient and not harm Leslie.

Sheldon paced the length of his bedroom while Penny tried to decide wither or not to show the guys her true form or if they should let them believe what they wanted to. Sheldon had already voiced his opinion he was certain that it would be best if they were left out of the loop, his over protection for Penny was sweet but was starting to get on her nerves finally exhausted and frustrated she jumped up, "Sheldon would you please stop pacing its driving me crazy, honey how about this we only tell them if it seems necessary?" taking her tall love's hand she sat him down on the bed. "Sheldon I think we might have a few more people to worry about than just my parents, I don't know how to tell you this but I am actually engaged to the Prince of the planet Zeri, and I think he might have sent some of his people to try and track me down."

Penny watched nervously for a reply when suddenly Sheldon got up from the bed and left the room, she heard the front door slam and a car start up and drive away.

a/n sorry for the evil cut off, but hey it happens... the next chapter might not get published as quickly as this one but i will try to get it out as soon as i can... also who loves the idea of Howard and Raj together... please review it means a lot... let me know what you think